Guide to Taxidermy 16S 



the back side of your specimen will not show and 

 can be pinned to the side. 



Screw a temporary board to the back of the 

 fish; this will serve to protect the fins and to hang 

 it up while drying. The pectoral and ventral 

 fins are held at the proper angle from the body by 

 driving a pin through the base of each into the 

 form. The pectoral, ventral, anal and dorsal fins 

 are spread and held in position with a strip of 

 ising-glass or mica on each side, clamping the two 

 pieces together with wires. 



The tail should lay flat against the board ; it 

 should be spread and held with a strip of card 

 tacked to the temporary panel. Put your specimen 

 where it will not be disturbed until dry. Fish dry 

 quickly and if the room is of ordinary temperature 

 it should be dry in about two days. 



Painting 



When the fish is dry, you will find that the color;- 

 have nearly all faded, but probably most of the 

 markings will still be faintly visible. This is the 

 best time to paint the subject, for in time even the 

 markings will entirely disappear. 



It will be far preferable if, when you are ready 

 to paint the fish, you can obtain a fresh one to re- 

 fer to, as well as your drawing. At any rate, do 

 not attempt to mount a fish without first making a 





