Special Trophies 145 



here and there to remove the brain and to facilitate the en- 

 trance of the preservative solution. 



Prop the mouth open with a piece of wood or wire, and 

 place the head in a 10 per cent solution of Formalin ( nine parts 

 water to one part Formalin). It should remain immersed a 

 week or two to allow thorough impregnation by the Formalin. 

 Remove the head and permit it to dry gradually in open air. 

 Do not try to rush the drying by placing the head over a radi- 

 ator or setting it in the sun. When the head has dried hard, a 

 matter of a couple of weeks, cover it with two or three coats 

 of enamel or lacquer. Small spray cans of these are obtainable 

 at any paint shop. The eyes can be replaced with glass eyes. 

 However, since a dried head is not meant to look alive, I 

 usually let the eves remain, to dry also. The head can be se- 

 cured to a stained and varnished base for easier handling. Drill 

 small holes through the lower jaws and attach the head to the 

 base with wire. 



Another interesting way of preserving heads is to remove as 

 much of the flesh as possible, leaving only the bony structure. 

 This can be done with a fresh head or with a Formalin speci- 

 men. If a fresh head is used, it is advisable to place the bonv 

 structure in Formalin for a few days anyway, after it is cleaned. 

 The head can be left in its natural state or sprayed with gold 

 or silver. 



Fish Tails Preserved 



Tails of all types of fishes are easilv preserved. Immersion 

 in a 10 per cent solution of Formalin for a week or so is all 

 that is necessary. Allow the tail to dry gradually in open air; 

 do not place it in the sun or over a radiator. The tail can then 

 be attached to a plaque, or it can be hung on the wall by a 

 concealed wire. Another attractive method (for a big fish) is 

 to tie a /4-inch rope around the base of the tail, leaving a loop for 

 attachment to a metal wall hanger. 



Tails of large fish such as tuna, marlin, and sailfish are espe- 

 cially imposing trophies when dried and painted. The famous 



