Patent ID: 8714985

Claim:
A taxidermic method for keeping an ear supported by an ear liner properly posed in a desired position on a mannikin while a cape is drying, said method comprising: providing a retainer comprising a bendable, but relatively stiff wire rod, formed in the shape of an upwardly extending elongated substantially straight stem portion having an upper end portion downwardly bent into a substantially straight, right angle arm, said arm having a lower end portion bent upwardly into an upwardly facing U-shaped hook having one leg formed by the arm portion and having a short leg extending upwardly adjacent the arm portion, said U-shaped hook in a plane substantially orthogonal to a plane containing the stem and the right angle arm, said leg portions spread apart for holding a rim of the ear supported by the ear liner, positioning the ear supported by the ear liner on a mannikin in a desired position while the cape dries; passing the stem portion of the retainer through an aural canal of the ear and into the mannikin; and, hooking the U-shaped hook portion about the rim of the ear whereby the ear is supported by the U-shaped hook portion while the cape dries on the mannikin.