STUFFING. 65 | 
In Suarks and LarcE FisuHes, an incision is made below | 
_ the head, and extended to the fin of the tail; the skin is then | 
separated on each side with a scalpel, cutting back as far as | 
| possible, so that the vertebra may be cut close to the head. 
The tail is then skinned. The head is pushed inwards, and | 
the skin passed over it above, and all the cartilage cut carefully 
away. Care must be taken not to enlarge the branchial 
openings too much, which would render it necessary to sew 
them up again, and it is not easy to hide a seam in a fish’s skin. | 
_ Dravon, Terrapon, and Baristes, and their congeners, 
are opened by the belly. The ostracion is enveloped in a 
skin, which consists of a single piece, the tail of which only is 
_ free and flexible. The opening in the belly must not be large ; 
the tail must be opened, the flesh cut away, and stuffed with 
cotton. 
STUFFING. 
The skins being properly anointed, are filled with tow or 
cotton. This must be so managed that there will be no pro- 
minences on the outside of the skin, which, in fishes, is smooth 
and even for the most part. When properly filled, they must 
_ be sewed up, and set aside to dry in the air, but not exposed to 
the rays of the sun. In a few days, the papers with which the 
fins were extended are taken off, by damping them with a 
sponge. The glass eyes are now introduced, after filling the 
orbits with cotton and a little cement to secure them in their 
_ places. The skins may then be varnished, and laid aside to 
dry. Mr Bullock, of the London Museum, acquired consider- 
able skill in setting up fish. He always used turpentine varnish. 
_ Some good specimens of his mounting are to be seen in the | 
_ Edinburgh College Museum. They are highly creditable 
_ productions, and have as much the appearance of the living | 
subjects as any we have seen. 
Suarks.—In stuffing these large fishes, it is necessary to use 
_a stick for a centre support. This must also enter the head, 
through the opening of the throat. If it is intended that the 
specimen shall be suspended from the ceiling, wire-hooks must 
be fastened into the wood. From these must be placed upright 
_ wires, so that they penetrate the skin, and pass through the 
{| F3 : ‘ 
