24 



Nevertheless, they may be nsefnlly skinned and form collections, 

 the value of which is not generally appreciated. In many cases, 

 too, when spirit or solutions cannot be procured, a fish may be pre- 

 served which would otherwise be lost. 



There are two modes of taking the skin of a fish : 1. The whole 

 animal can be skinned and stuffed like a bird, mammal, or reptile. 

 2, One-half of the fish can be skinned, and nevertheless its natural 

 form preserved. 



Sharks, skates, sturgeons, garpikes or garf sites, mudjishes, and all 

 those belonging to the natural orders of Placoids and Ganoids, 

 should undergo the same process as given above for birds, mammals, 

 and reptiles. An incision should be made along the right side, the 

 left always remaining intact, or along the belly. The skin is next 

 removed from the flesh, the fins cut at their bases under the skin, 

 and the latter inverted until the base of the skull is exposed. The 

 inner cavity of the head should be cleaned, an application of pre- 

 servative made, and the whole, after being stuffed in the ordinary 

 way, sewed up again. Fins may be expanded when wet, on a piece 

 of stiff paper, which will keep them sufficiently stretched for the 

 purpose. A varnish may be passed over the whole body and fins, 

 to preserve somewhat the color. 



In the case of Ctenoids, perches, and allied genera ; and Cycloids 

 trouts, suckers, and allied genera; one-half of the fish may be skin- 

 ned and preserved. To effect this, lay the fish on a table with 

 the left side up; the one it is intended to preserve. Spread out 

 the fins by putting underneath each a piece of paper, to which it 

 will adhere on drying. When the fins are dried, turn the fish over, 

 cut with scissors or a knife all around the body, a little within the 

 dorsal and ventral lines, from the upper and posterior pai't of the 

 head, along the back to the tail, across the base of the caudal fin 

 down, and thence along the belly to the lower part of the head 

 again. The dorsal, caudal, and anal fins, cut below their articula- 

 tions. This done, separate the whole of the body from the left 

 side of the skin, commencing at the tail. When near the head, 

 cut off the body, with the right ventral and pectoral fins, and pro- 

 ceed by making a section of the head and removing nearly the half 

 of it. Clean the inside, and pull out the left eye, leaving only the 

 cornea and pupil. Cut a circular piece of black paper of the size 

 of the orbit and place it close to the pupil. Apply the preserva- 

 tive, fill the head with cotton as well as the body. Turn over the 



