MOUNTING FISHES. . 209 



fxifi were somewhat faulty. Being filled with fibrous material, 

 they lacked that extreme flatness so characteristic of fishes of 

 this type. 



Numerous methods for the preparation of fishes have been 

 devised. In the collection in the National Museum made by 

 the Society of American Taxidermists there is a series of six 

 specimens, representing 1 five different methods, mostly bad. 

 One is a fish carved in wood and painted ; another is a flimsy 

 paper cast of Dutch extraction ; a third is a painted plaster 

 cast ; the fourth is a half fish, or fish medallion, and the fifth is 

 an entire stuffed fish. It is necessary to add, however, that the 

 last -mentioned specimen falls far short of properly represent- 

 ing its class the most common of all in museums. In dispos- 

 ing of this subject it is not my purpose to waste time in the 

 discussion of obsolete and valueless methods, but to describe 

 only those of practical utility. 



MOUNTING SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED FISHES WITH SCALES. 

 The process of skinning a fish has been described in a pre- 

 vious chapter, and on this subject but few other points remain 

 to be noticed. These are the following : 



From some fishes the scales fall off so very easily while they 

 are being skinned and mounted, it is necessary to wipe the 

 specimen diy, and before starting to remove the skin, paste a 

 piece of thin but tough writing-paper over the whole fish ex- 

 cepting the fins, and let it dry before proceeding further. With 

 a pen, line out the course of the opening cut, and make a mark 

 across it here and there to guide you in joining the edges again 

 after mounting. This paper covering will fully protect the 

 scales from displacement, and it is to remain on until the 

 mounting is completed, when its removal is easily accom- 

 plished with water and a sponge. 



On the great majority of scaled fishes, however, the scales 

 are sufficiently persistent that the above is unnecessary. But 

 keep. the fish wet while you are at work upon it, and handle it 

 with care and delicacy. If you let the scales get dry, their 

 edges begin at once to curl up, which must not be permitted. 



It is generally of great advantage to allow the skin of a fish 

 to lie over night in spirits (two parts of ninety-five per cent, al- 

 cohol to one of water) for the sake of curing and toughening 

 14 



