61< ON SKINNING FISH IN GENERAL 



of scissors, then introduce a little tow or a piece of sponge 

 into the place to prevent the blood from flowing 1 during the 

 process of skinning ; carefully wipe the sides of the fish with 

 a damp sponge ; let the fins be raised and gently extended, 

 and two pieces of paper, something the shape of each, be 

 placed under them, only extending a little beyond them. See 

 plate II. fig. 1. Coat the paper with a weak solution of Gum 

 Arabic, and put a piece of similar size on the top of the fin, 

 by pressing these gently they will adhere and dry in a few mi- 

 nutes ; these will keep the fins extended, and preserve them 

 during the operation of stuffing. When these are dry, take a 

 piece of tissue paper or thin silk, and press it gently on one 

 side of the fish. The natural glutinous matter which cov- 

 ers the scales will be sufficient to make it adhere firmly, it 

 will soon dry and form a strong protection to the scales du- 

 ring the skinning ; without this precaution the skin could not 

 be removed from Mullet, Sea Beaver, &c., without the scales 

 being much disfigured, and losing many of them. Indeed, in 

 such fishes, it is not amiss to put on an additional coating of 

 paper with gum-water. This will not only secure the scales, 

 but will also assist in keeping the proper form of the fish, by 

 preventing distention. 



When these papers are thoroughly dry, turn the fish on a 

 soft cloth, with the uncovered side upwards, and open it with 

 sharp scissors from the bottom of the tail-fin to nearly the point 

 of the snout, keeping as correctly on the lateral line as possi- 

 ble, which can be seen in most fishes. The cheek should be 

 afterwards cut open, so that the flesh may be removed from it, 

 cut also the flesh from the opposite cheek, and supply its place 

 by cotton. The skin must now be detached from the flesh, 

 which will require some care at first. It must be commenced 

 at the head, and separating it downwards with the assistance 

 of a knife, and the fin-bones must be cut through with scis- 

 sors. The spine must now be cut through close to the head, 

 and also at the tail, and the body removed. 



All the animal matter having been completely removed from 

 the skin, the inside must be wiped dry, and the preservative 

 applied in the same manner as directed for birds and quad- 

 rupeds. Great care is necessary to prevent it from being too 

 much distended. 



