350 New Method of setting up Fishes. 



New method of setting up Fishes. — Having tried all the 

 common methods of stuffing fishes, with which I was ac- 

 quainted, without producing anything like nature, I at length 

 hit upon the following plan, which, as far as I have tried it, 

 has more than answered my most sanguine expectations ; and 

 being attended with but little expense or trouble, it promises 

 to make a collection of fishes, (at least of many species), as 

 easily attainable as one of birds, always excepting the colours, 

 which fade more or less, but the size and form are perfectly 

 retained. 



If the fish has scales, secure them either by drying in the 

 air, or by applying a coat or two of tissue paper, to retain 

 them in their places whilst removing the skin. 



Open the fish in a straight line from the pectoral fin to the 

 tail ; and with a bone knife separate the skin from the flesh 

 on each side, to the back, snipping the fins just inside the 

 skin, with scissors ; remove the viscera, and snip the ribs close 

 to the back-bone ; then remove all the flesh, and scrape the 

 bone as clean as possible, leaving it attached to the head, 

 back-fins, and tail ; remove the gills, brain, and eyes, from 

 the inside, leaving the outer membrane of the latter, which 

 may be stuffed with Cotton, and when dry, have the figure of 

 the eye painted on it. Open the cheeks when necessary, stuff 

 with cotton, and sew them with a fine seam. Now, beginning 

 at the head, carefully sew up the skin with close stitches, and 

 if necessary, touch over the whole with preservative, introdu- 

 ced at the mouth, with a long-handled brush. The fins and 

 tail should next be spread between pieces of paper, which will 

 soon dry, and keep them in position. Suspend the skin by 

 the head, and fill it at the mouth with fine dry plaister of 

 Paris, well shaken in, introducing a stick to fill out every part, 

 and mould to shape with the fingers ; the plaister setting im- 

 mediately effectually prevents shrinking, and renders the out- 

 side as smooth as life ; let it remain suspended till the skin 

 and fins are perfectly dry ; then reversing its position, with 

 the assistance of a stick or wire to loosen it, shake out all the 

 plaister, remove the papers, brush the skin perfectly clean, 

 and give it a coat or two of Canada balsam thinned with spi- 

 rits of turpentine, which will restore its original transparency. 



To fix it in a case, I would propose, previously to sewing 

 up, to fasten a thin slip of wood on each side the backbone, 

 twisting a couple of wires firmly round it ; these should pro- 

 ject either through the back or belly, as it may be wished to 

 suspend or support the specimen. — Clement Jackson. — East 

 Looe. . 



