FISHES. 13 



are generally found in damp places under decaying timber, 

 etc. 



All of the lower vertebrates are best preserved as "wet 

 specimens," and in fact with the exception of the turtles and 

 a few large forms are spoiled by being skinned and stuffed. 

 In skinning turtles the lower shell (plastron) should first be 

 removed with a chisel or saw ; the succeeding steps are essen- 

 tially the same as pursued with mammals. Alligators and 

 large lizards are skinned the same as mammals. When it 

 is desired to put any of the lower vertebrates in alcohol, an 

 incision should be made in the abdominal walls, so that the 

 spirit may more readily penetrate the viscera. This is abso- 

 lutely necessary if it be desired at any future time to investi- 

 gate any more of the anatomy than the osteology. 



FISHES. 



Besides the familiar hook and line, fishes may be obtained 

 by seines, trawls, etc., to be described further on under the 

 head, "Marine Collecting." A good way of obtaining many 

 forms is to visit the fish markets ; and also if possible hire 

 the fishermen themselves to bring in specimens of all sorts 

 that come up in their nets or on their lines. In this way 

 many varieties may be obtained which never appear in the 

 markets, as fishermen are accustomed to throw back all fish 

 which according to their ideas are not edible. 



Fishes are almost universally preserved in alcohol, though 

 some of the largest ones are occasionally stuffed. At such 

 times a professional taxidermist had best be employed. 



