ning at the back of the skull. Sharpen the end of body wire
and force it through the cork and out one of the nostrils. The skull is
pushed back along the wire until it reaches the proper distance from the
shoulder ring, when all but an inch or so of the projecting wire is cut
off.

Insert the skull through the body opening and work it up the neck into
its place in the head skin, letting the end of wire go through the
nostril of skin also. This will hold the nose in place. Adjust the eyes
and ears also.

Now pass the ends of leg wire through the rings from their opposite
sides. The tail wire is passed through the rear ring and twisted around
the body wire a few times. The ends of leg wires projecting through the
ring cross, so twist them together a turn or two with pliers, next bring
them down and under the body wire, twisting them together, first one
side of it and then the other. This treatment will fasten the legs and
tail also firmly to the body wire.

Thus we have the skin with head, tail and legs filled out and the
supporting wires fastened together. The remainder of filling, usually
chopped tow, is placed with fingers, forceps, and stuffers. First a good
layer next the skin all around, then part this and fill in the center a
little at a time, first at one end, then the other. Put a good cushion
at the hips and shoulders between the wires and the skin and also at the
back. Fill out the neck well but do not stretch it unduly.

Begin sewing up at both ends of the opening cut, drawing a few stitches
up and tying the thread while you fill a little more. Model the animal
into shape from time to time by pressure with your hands and when filled
out and sewed up tie the threads together.

Our animal is now lying on its back with head, tail and limbs extended;
bend them into some natural position and set it on its feet. It may be
well to force a little chopped tow and clay into the bottoms of the feet
and draw the cuts in them together with a few stitches around the leg
wire projecting from them.

A temporary stand of a piece of board supported on cleats at each end is
prepared and a number of holes bored for the leg wires. A little
experimenting will find the proper place for these when the surplus ends
of wire are bent along the bottom of the board and fastened with
staples. Complete the head and face modeling now, filling out the cheeks
and lips and pinning them in place. Work the skin around the eyes and
ears int