Mike Purkat, age 14, of McKinley, Minn., for his question:

HOW DOES A TAXIDERMIST PRESERVE AN ANIMAL?

Taxidermy is a complicated art which requires a knowledge of anatomy, natural history, sculpture, mechanics, drawing, tanning and dyeing. Taxidermy comes from two Greek words meaning arrangement and skin.

The taxidermist first measures the skin of the dead animal after carefully removing it and treating it with preservative materials. He then makes a drawing of the muscles, ribs and hollows. From the drawing he makes a model of wire, shredded wood, clay, plaster or papier mache. The model must correspond accurately with the figure of the animal.

Finally the taxidermist places the animal skin on the model and sews it together. Painted hollow globes are added instead of glass eyes to give a natural expression.