Taxidermy

Taxidermy, the art of preparing and preserving the skins of animals (together with the fur, feathers, or scales), and also of stuffing and monuting them so as to produce a close resemblance to the living form. The skinning, which is carried out with sharp knives, scissors, "pliers," "counter-pliers," and various other implements, is an operation requiring great care, as it is important not to stretch the skin and not to ruffle or stain the fur, plumage, or scales. Of late years much attention has been given to the processes of stuffing and mounting, the best specimens hitherto produced being those at the South Kensington Museum. Success in taxidermy now requires considerable knowledge of anatomy and skill in modelling as well as an acquaintance with tcchmcal details.