Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1903-12-18
TAKING CASTS OF LIVE SNAKES

l
Ing posed for new kind OF sculptur
that will be one Of the features of th
United States governments museum
at the world g fair.
The snakes differ from the beautiful
human models who posed for much o.
the statuary that adorns the fail
grounds in that they will not willing
ly submit to having their charms dis
played to the populace Neither can
they be brlbed. 1t is only when they
are overcome by their keepers and are
placed under the influence of chloro
form that the snake sculptors can &C.
complish their tasks.
The casts when seen at the world g
fair will be more nearly true to life
than If they we're fashioned in clay by
the hands Of the most expert modeIer
aud the cast then made. Casts are
made from the snakes while they are
alive, and so like the real thing is each
of these models that were it not ell
closed in glass case the visitor might
well be excused for shudder of alarm
when he viewed it.
Mr.. W. Thompson, keeper of the rep
tile house at the geological gardens in
Philadelphia, is one of the most expert
snake sculptOrs, and he describes his
work as follows:
my assistant makes slipknot with
a piece of strong twine. attaches it to q
long pole, and, opening the cage, places
it over the snakes head. The reptile,
struggling and squirming, and wild
with fear and anger, is lifted out, and
should he be one of those deadly vari- |
stles there Is some exciting sport before
be is finally conquered. I then hold a |
sponge saturated with chloroform to |
bis nostrils In short time he is, for |
The time being, and to all intents and |
purposes, dead to the world, and the
cast is then made with all possible ex-
petition.
"Quills are placed in the reptile 3
aostrils so that be may breathe, and
'he mixed plaster of Paris is poured
over him. After the plaster has had
time to harden, the snake, which has
been creased. in advance to facilitate
ts removal, is carefully pulled out from
he cast and returned to its cage, u.s.
lally none the worse for the operation
1.-The inside of the cast is now flush
d with soapy water. the grease of
which fills up the pores and prevents
ticking. The plaster is then poured
and the cast remains undisturbed
Dr. twenty four hours ii order to in
ure perfect hardening.
The next step is the chipping away
the outer shell, which has to be
one with extreme care lest the delic
5e outline of the impressioned plaster r
ay be irretrievably ruined. Partic.
larly is this true of the head and
es, which are always left until the
ct. When all the shell is Clipped ;,
way an exact reproduction of the :
AXE down to the finest details has n
en secured, and all that remains to ;.
done is the painting in the original :,
lors.''
1t is the painting which is the really y
uclal featurs of the operation, and ;;
one which determines the success I,
failure Of the effort. 1t is very q.
dious work and much time is spent
each specimen. A snake is placed
glass box beside the artist, who
ldles the color as he works. Each or
lie receives separate treatment, and ev
task usually requires several days.
hi
mere are some women who seem to be n
ennially youthful The grown daughter 8
companions as well children, and the
Or 10 the m theirs cheeks, the brightness
Ter eyes, the roundness of her form, all I
ak OF abounding health. What is her A
ret! She Is at the middle age of life when g.,
many women are worn, wasted and fad
and yet time has only ripened her s
rms. The secret of this matronly health -
beauty may be told in the brief phrase,
P1erce's Favorite Prescription. The gem
health of woman is so intimately relat- !
10 the local health Of the delicate woman.
rgans, that where these are diseased, the
Die body must suffer. ''Favorlte Prescrip-
- dries the debillitating drains, heals
grafton and Inflammation, cures female
lkness and imparts to the delicate female
ans natural vigor and vitality. Women tr<
D have lost their health and their beauty
Q been made robust and rosy checked" fal