will not readily cut the thin skin of the ears.

Trim and scrape away any lumps of muscle, etc., and shave down the skin
enough to be molded to the surface of the form when dampened. Do not,
however, cut away the bunch of muscles on each side of the cheeks in
which the whisker roots are embedded, or these distinguished ornaments
will drop out. By criss-crossing these with cuts they are made as
flexible as the rest of the skin. After the shaving process get a
suitable needle and stout thread and sew up any cuts or tears that have
been made. If proper care has been used there will be little of this to
do, always remembering that a cut is not irreparable but always makes
extra work. Bullet holes of large caliber destroy considerable skin and
in order to close them it is best to cut them to a triangular shape and
draw together by sewing up from the corners of the triangle, as per
illustration.

[Illustration: SEWING UP BULLET HOLE.]

Cut out from tough cardboard two ear forms a little longer at the base
than the ear skin and small enough to slip inside them readily. Before
going further give the inside of the head and neck skin a coat of
preservative. Let this lay a few minutes to soak in and then after
turning the ears right side out slip the cardboard ear forms into place.
They should be coated first with liquid glue; work the skin over them
with the fingers and fill around their bases with some cut tow and clay
of about the consistency of soft putty. Now place the head skin on the
form, get the eyes and nose in place and drive in a few pins down the
center of the face; they will hold it from slipping while working
further on it. If the form is a little too short for this particular
skin build it out with clay and tow, if too long it can have a trifle
cut off.

Fill the sockets of the eyes with clay, build out the cheeks and the
sides of nose with clay and tow and draw the skin of the lips down where
they belong. The glass eyes are to be cut from their wires and set,
drawing the lids around them with an awl. When they seem properly placed
drive pins at both inner and outer corners. The ears are attacked next
and when arranged to suit, three or four pins driven in at their bases
to hold them.

On a rug the ears should usually be laid back close to the head as by so
doing the chance of their being broken off when finished and dry is
lessened. Also a mounted rug head is usually intended to register rage
or anger.

T