TAXIDERMY. 89 



necessary to varnish them. We find them in the 

 Mediterranean. 



Salmon, carp, pike, trout, tench, perch, &c, are 

 easily mounted ; the scales which cover them always 

 tarnish a little in drying, but we partly remedy this 

 inconvenience by varnishing them before they are 

 quite dry. After some time the varnish will rise in 

 little scales, we then take a little nitric acid, which 

 we mix with much water, and completely take off 

 all the varnish which covered the fish, by rubbing it 

 with a little brush. An hour after, we varnish it 

 afresh, and this coat will not scale off. 



We have spoken of almost all the fish which re- 

 quire peculiar proceedings for mounting and pre- 

 paring them. We agree with M. Manduyt, that 

 it is impossible to preserve fish with all their bril- 

 liancy of colour, as we may the greater number of 

 birds, insects, &c. Spirituous liquors are still pre- 

 ferable to all preparations, but the size of many fish 

 does not admit of this method. We recommend to 

 travellers to put as many fish as they can into spirits, 

 and we will now point out the precautions to be used 

 tor their transportation. 



In long voyages we must furnish ourselves with 

 small casks, holding from four to eight gallons, and 

 bound with iron. Near the bung-hole we cut an 

 aperture about six inches by four in this shape, ^j so 

 that the piece cut out, which is used to stop or close 

 it, cannot possibly fall into the cask. We fill about 



