The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1903-10-22
SNAKE SCULPTURE.
IL IL q TfelsIIah Job 60 Get Venom
GUS Reptile In Position for
"a Plaster Cast.

| snake casts. So like the real thing is
each Of these plaster models, owing 70
the ingenuity with which they have
been nodded and painted. that, were II
not lnclosed In glass case. the visitor
might well be excused for shudder OF
alarm on catching sight OF II, says the |
| New York Sun.
These extraordinary works OF ART arc
productions OF William Palmer, OF the
Smith sonian institution, and John w.
Thompson, keeper OF the reptile house
| at the zoolgical gardens in Philadel-
phia. A number OF them are now being
made by the former in the taxidermy
laboratory back OF the Smithsonian in
sutution, notably cobra da capello,
| the same which died some time ago at
the Bronx Park zoo This cobra, al
though taken In death cast, will be
shown in characteristic lighting atti-
tude, the hood-like neck dlstended and
the body erected In that peculiar curve
| which has earned for the creature the
designation OF the most graceful OF an
imals. This is the first cast ever taken
OF a cobra da capello.
The greater part of the casting is
done from dead snakes. That operation
is comparatively simple one. but
where live poisonous snakes are en-
ployed Il Is different II is sometimes
found advisable to use live snakes, be-
cause the characteristic colors and
markings are very delicate and fade
within few hours after death.
Many OF MIR. Thompsons casts were
taken from life. because, when an or
der was placed with him from the mu-
scum authorities. It saved trouble, time
and expense to use a specimen In the
ZOO as a model, instead of procuring n
dead one Of the same species. The OPP
Grafton OF making live snake pose is
thus described by Mr.. Thompson;
MY first step. as is the case OF the
cook with the hare, is to secure the
snake. My assistant makes a slip knot
with piece OF strong twine. attaches Il
to a long pole and, opening the cage
places II over the snakes head. The
, reptile, struggling and squirming, and
wild with fear and anger, is lifted out,
and should he be one OF the deadly va
rietles there Is some exciting sport be-
fore he is finally conquered. | then
hold a sponge saturated with chioro-
form to his nostrlls. In short time he
Is. for the time being and TO all intents
and purposes. dead 70 the world, and
the cast is then made with all possible
exnedition.
"Qullls are placed In the reptiles nos
trils so that he may breathe, and thu
mixed plaster OF paris is poured all over
him. After the plaster has had time to
harden, the snake. which has been
creased in advance 10 facilitate Its re-
moval, is carefully pulled out from the
cast and returned to its cage. usually
none the worse for the operation.
'sThe inside of the east is now flushed
ont with soapy water. the grease OF
? which flls up the pores and prevents
!. sticking. The plaster is then poured In
and the cast remains undisturbed for
/ "a hours In order to insure perfect hard
enlng.
''The next step Is the chipping away
l of the outer shell. which has TO
be done with extreme care lest the
delicate outline Of the impressloned
plaster may be irretrievably ru'
ined. Particularly is this true Of
the head and eyes. which are always
left till the last. When all the shell Is
chlpped away an exact reproduction oi
the snake down to the finest details ha'
been secured. and all that remains to
be done Is the painting Of the original
colors"
II IL the painting which is the really
crucial feature OF the operation and th'
: one which determines the success or fail
ure Of the effort. II IL very tedious
work, and in most instances fully
month Is spent on each specimen
Where possible live snake Is placed II
a glass box beside the artist. who stud
les the colora as he works Each seal'
receives separate treatment and the head
I is usually labor Of several days.
Notable PHILANTHROPY.
NJ Chauchard. head Of the Magasini
2 du Louvre IN Paris. has handed ovel
his superb property at Versailles fo
the benefit OF all his employees VIII,
r can show at least rs years service. ans
do not receive more than $500 a year
The immense park has been divided
: into i05 lots. 50 as to insure to eaei
meritorious servant holding Of ahou
COO square yards. The land is Rivei
g free. and the employees can erect house,
TO their liking So pleased are the
with the gift that a building soeiet,
Q has been formed; and Il Is expectei
4 that BY next October little colony vii
be we'll started small castle occu
pies place on the estate. and this VIII
n be converted into small fats for IN
accommodation Of aged bachelors :
= London Mall