206 How To Make Fish Mounts 



I usually order a gallon of Hysol-ERL 2795 and a quart of 

 Hysol-ERL 2793. The material is mixed four parts 2795 to 

 one part 2793. In this state it is rather thin, very fluid, and will 

 flow down to the bottom of the mold. In other words, when 

 troweling the substance, it will not stay in quantity on inclined 

 surfaces unless it is mixed with whiting or asbestos. I suggest 

 that the first coat in molding a fish contain mostly whiting as a 

 filler in the Hysol. A small portion of asbestos added to the 

 mixture will help prevent excessive flowing (formula No. 1). 

 Too much asbestos in the first layer will produce pin holes or 

 air holes in the cast. The second or reinforcing layer can in- 

 clude a greater proportion of asbestos ( formula No. 2 ) . 



For a medium size fish, I find it convenient to use these 

 amounts: four jiggers of 2975 to one jigger of 2793. With the 

 whiting and asbestos added there is enough material to work 

 easily before it begins to set. Scrape the bowl clean with a 

 spatula or dull knife as soon as possible and then clean it with 

 a piece of cheesecloth and about a jigger of commercial alcohol. 



The Hysol always has to be mixed four to one. However, as 

 far as the addition of whiting and asbestos is concerned, the 

 individual can vary the amounts one way or the other to arrive 

 at a consistency which may be more suitable to his needs. 



Formalin 



Formalin is a colorless liquid which has a pungent odor and 

 vapors which are intensely irritating to mucous membranes. 

 It is a preservative and a disinfectant. Formalin is a saturated 

 aqueous solution of formaldehyde gas in water, about 37 per 

 cent formaldehyde by weight. 



A 10 per cent solution is usual for preserving fishes: nine 

 parts water to one part Formalin. An 8 per cent solution may 

 be used for large fishes, and a less potent solution of 15 per cent 

 may be used for small specimens. 



Formalin may be purchased in most chemical supplv shops 

 and is inexpensive. It usually is contained in a fairly rugged 



