Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-03-17
THE TAxlDERuIsI's ART.
stonewaII yackson's "oId sorrcf" I'm
the Hands OF Pref. Webster.

The taxidermist's work on "0ld
Sorrel =" is fast approaching completion.
Professor Webster, of Washington, d.
c., has made three very satisfactory
casts Of the animal, though not without
grave apprehension Of the result. The
removal Of the skin must be done "a.
pidly, he says, or it will loose the epi.
dermis. The casts, together with forty
or fifty measurements Of the various
parts Of the horse, will enable him to
reproduce the charger" perfectly in
every proportion.
The relie-hunters have stolen most
of the hair of the mare and tail. This
has not been done without considerable
strategem, for the utmost vigilance has
been exercised. Hair by hair has been
taken, until the tail nearly resembles a
spike. This last member will be re-
placed by another as closely resembling
the original as possible.
The process which will be employed
in mounting the animal will be that Of
the most advanced method known to
the art of taxidermy, and Of compare
lively very recent development. 1t is
termed the Manakin method. The
famed Veraux, of Paris NOW dead),
practiced it to limited extent, but to
modern taxidermists belong the credit
Of the development Of this branch Of
THE art.
The process is very laborious, and
requires a vast amount Of natural skill
and knowledge Of the various animal
forms in order to make a success of the
work. This subject will require from
eight to ten weeks of careful work to
produce the artificial horse.
The first work performed is on the
frame. Many of the bones will be
carefully carved and then Joined by
strong Norway iron rods to stiten the
frame. Nearly every bone in the horse
will be represented in some way or
other by wooden counterpart.
All this is necessary to reproduce its
proper proportions and to give the
horse the attitude desired, which will
be similar to the horse represented in
the General George \. Thomas statue at
Washington. d. c., which Professor
Webster thinks is without doubt the
fnest-prOportioned horse represented in
bronze in this country, perhaps except
ing Washington's statue in this city.
The carved framework will be
covered with very narrow and thin
Eastwood strips, and secured to it
carefully. This will give the general
shape and proportions. This lath-
work will then be covered with tufts
and layers Of fine woodibre, or "ex-
celsior" and tow of coarse quality,
secured TO the basswood strips by
laciDg, tying, and sewing, aided by
small iron staples. BY this means the
muscles are produced, aud can be
slowly accomplished in very efectual
manner.
Over this manakin is placed a thin
layer Of clay mixed with very finely
chopped flax. After this is performed
the piece of work looks like a very well
formed and spirited "clay horse" Every
part Of the wooden framework and pad
ding is concealed. When large muscle
is to be brought out two or two and
half inches OF clay are used, more or less
if necessary.
Then the skin. after being thoroughly
thlnned down (which requires from four
to five days work 10 perform, is put
in a strong bath OF alum and salt,
which tans it thoroughly.
1t is then carefully washed in fresh
water. cleaned Of all the fatty matter,
and preservatiyes applied at the last
moment before placing on the model.
The skin is then placed over the clay
model, adjusted in its proper place, and
all the seams drawn together and neatly
Sewed.
Now the skin is shaped, the muscles
brought out, the moist clay beneath the
skin readily yielding TO the pressure Of
the hands and fingers in the same man
ner as the sculptor manipulates the clay
statue. Veins, muscles, wrinkles ma
tural to the animal, by this method are
in this manner finally secured. The
skin and whole material are then allowed
to slowly harden under a proper tenn
perature suited to it, according to the
size of the animal treated.
The artificial eyes, which are to be
blown for this horse, having been pre-
viously set in position, are cleaned and
all the loose clay and dirt brushed Off;
the whole specimen is given solution
for the purpose Of polishing the hair
a number of other details attended to,
and the horse will stand forth in nearly
all OF his original and natural glory.
All the specimen will lack will be the
breath of life, which, if imagined, the
deception would be complete.
The advanced age of the horse will
render the work much more difficult.
but the results will prove all that can
be desired.
Professor Webster will also preserve
the natural skeleton Of "Old Sorrel,"
and when necessary this will be articu-
lated. and both the skeleton and skin
will then be preserved for the coming
generations TO view and admire, while
Father Time shall deal gently with
them