2o8 How To Make Fish Mounts 



Sterine 



Sterine is a greasy, liquid substance that is excellent as a 

 separator in preventing freshly mixed plaster from adhering to 

 plaster which has set, as in a two-piece mold. It is also used 

 on table tops when working with plaster. Plaster is easily 

 scraped from an area that has been covered with sterine. The 

 solution is prepared by mixing steric acid and kerosene. Simply 

 place some powdered steric acid in a jar and add kerosene 

 until it is well mixed into a smooth consistency. The sterine 

 should not be so thick as to be lumpy. It is best applied with 

 a brush. Keep it in a closed jar when stored. Sterine thickens 

 in a cool room; warm it near a radiator and the consistency will 

 thin. 



Steric acid is a product derived from the fat of beef cattle. 

 It is obtainable in powdered form or block form. If available 

 only in the latter condition, it has to be scraped into a re- 

 ceptacle of kerosene by using a bent hack-saw blade. Chemical 

 supply houses carry steric acid at about a dollar and a half per 

 pound. A pound is sufficient to make a mixture for many molds. 



Alum 



Alum is an astringent mineral. It is mixed with water and 

 used (in this instance) to facilitate the setting of plaster of 

 Paris over the fluids and slime that may remain on a fish's body 

 after cleaning the specimen in preparation for molding. It is 

 available at any drug store. A handful in a small pan of water 

 is enough to treat both sides of a medium size fish. 



Glycerin 



Glycerin, also known as glycerol, is a sweet, oily, nearly color- 

 less liquid obtainable at drug stores or chemical supply houses. 

 It is viscous and is often added to glue and other materials to 

 make them less brittle. 



