sh colored wax is good enough
for any rug, though museum mounting might require that the tongue be
skinned and the skin used to cover the model.

Plaster, putty, papier mache and various plastic cement materials are
used for modeling mouths, of which papier mache is probably the best;
plaster paris is often used in an emergency but is brittle and heavy.
For modeling use finely ground paper pulp mixed with glue and plaster or
whiting. Only practice and experiment will determine just the precise
mixture wanted.

A paper half head form may be the basis and to this wire the jaw bones
with their sets of teeth. Clever work will reproduce the interior of the
mouth, gums and tongue, and when perfectly dry they should be finished
either with paint or colored wax.

The tongue should have its base and lower side coated with glue and have
a brad driven through it into the material between the lower jaw bones.
If the head of this brad is well set in, a drop or two of wax will cover
it.

[Illustration: COYOTE RUG, OPEN MOUTH

(Author's Work.)]

In preparing a skin for mounting an open mouth head the lips should be
pared down and preserved as far as possible as they are to be filled
out and attached to the form by pinning at their edges. Common toilet
pins are used for this, driving them in part way and when the work is
dry cutting them off close down to the surface. After this is done the
lips may be waxed thus joining them to the form completely. Never fear
to use plenty of pins in head mounting. In some places they may be
driven to the head and left covered by the fur, in other places where
there is little or no fur, cut them close and drive down flush.

Of course greater liberties may be taken with a rug skin than one
mounted entire for exhibition, still a competent artist can put a great
amount of expression in even a rug head. The close student of animal
anatomy can produce an appalling snarl of anger on the heads of the
larger carnivora or change the same to a sleepy yawn or grin in a few
minutes' manipulation.

The professional is often called in to repair damaged rugs and
especially those with open mouths. Here the operator must use his own
judgment as no two seem to demand the same treatment. Missing teeth may
have to be supplied and carved from bone, celluloid or antlers. The tips
of broken deer antlers make very good canine teeth and blocks of
celluloid which are much easier to shape than bone, are sold by supply