A PLAN FOR AN EDUCATIONAL EXHIBIT OF FISHES. 



By CHARLES F. HOLDER. 



In preparing an educational collection of fishes I should divide the subject 

 into the two classes of game fishes and economic or edible fishes. 



The game fishes would include in a general way tarpon, bonito, white sea 

 bass, black sea bass, gray and other snappers, grunts, barracuda, ladyfish, 

 bluefish, weakfish, swordfish (Tetrapturus) , black grouper, yellowtail, long-finned 

 tuna, yellow-finned tuna, whitefish (California), sheepshead (Florida), swordfish, 

 amberfish, channel bass, striped bass, salmon (various kinds) , trout (all kinds) , 

 black bass, and all the game fishes that can be taken with a rod and afford good 

 sport, eliminating all doubtful ones, such as rock bass, sunfish, etc. 



I would have papier-mache casts made, showing a side of the fish colored 

 to life, to hang on a wall; or, better, half of a fish, the skin drawn over a model 

 of wood or plaster. A label under it would give its common and technical 

 name, geographical range, and a number for reference to a catalogue, which 

 would be called "Guide to the Exhibit of Fishes." Near the fish I would have 

 a framed photograph of a living specimen, taken in a tank where the natural 

 surroundings have been provided. At Avalon, Cal., I have such a tank about 

 3 feet long and 8 inches wide. I can arrange this tank with natural grouping 

 of weed in which the fish lives, place the specimen in it, and with camera near 

 the glass obtain a perfect picture. I have photographed all the southern Cali- 

 fornia small fishes in this way. I would exhibit also a drawing of the eggs, or 

 photograph of the nest, if the fish makes one. The catalogue number, we will 

 say, is no. i, "Tarpon, not edible, very valuable as game fish; scales valuable 



in commerce. Range, the world, in latitude ; — species. Tackle, 9-ounce 



rod over 6 feet, nine-thread line; bait, mullet. Famous tarpon fishing 



grounds, Aransas Pass, Tex.; Tampico, Mexico; Florida (south coast); India. 



Authorities ( )." Here quote the best angling authorities and the books in 



which technical descriptions can be found. Also give the name of authoritative 

 tackle dealers who are specialists; size of adult fish; food, seasons, fresh or 

 salt water, etc. This book could be sold for cost, say 10 cents, or the data 

 could be printed cheaply and given away. By this means a visitor walking 

 down the room would contemplate a life-size facsimile of the fish, beside its 



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