NOTES. 221 



sparingly ; this I have found an excellent plan for pre- 

 serving the natural hue. Do not varnish the scales on 

 the belly of the fish yet, as it will require painting ; this 

 must be done in a day or two with great care, for 

 daubed fish look very unsightly. Here the practical 

 knowledge of the angler comes in ; he knows the correct 

 colours to employ, and we are all aware how evanescent 

 are the beauties of freshly caught fish ; and these hues, 

 however skilfully reproduced, are but a feeble imitation 

 of Nature. 



" I have seen some strange examples of colouring, 

 though the specimen has been beautifully modelled. 

 Brush marks should be avoided, and shading should be 

 most carefully done. I find great difficulty in blending 

 the various hues in proper graduation. When the paint 

 is dry, apply one coating, or more, of copal varnish. 

 The fish is then ready to case, and may be set up 

 with grass, rockwork, &c., as required. The preparation 

 of grass is interesting, as each blade must be carefully 

 ironed and then painted ; the hot iron expels all 

 moisture, and prevents the grass from shrivelling. A 

 stock of grass should be prepared when it is in good 

 condition, before the edges are frayed or withered, and a 

 plentiful supply may be gathered in a very short while 

 from the river's bank." 



I think it advisable to write a few words on this 

 subject, as I once saw a 3 Ib. barbel honoured 

 with a glass case ; its captor apparently thought Coarse 

 he had a fish really worth " setting up," having ^^ 

 evidently been deceived by some waggish pro- "Betting 

 fessional. Cases with curved glass fronts make up " 

 the fish look much better than plain-fronted 

 cases. A collection of different fish of one's own 

 catching is most interesting, recalling the place and 

 circumstances of each capture. 



Ideas vary as to what fish (and their sizes) may be 

 worthy of preservation ; but the list of weights given is, I 

 think, a fair one. 



Chub . ... 4 Ibs. or over. 



Pike 15 ,, From most of our rivers, lakes 



or ponds. 



