84 REPORT— 1839. 



On the Preparation of Fish. By Mr. Wilde. 



In this mode of preparation an incision is made through the scales 

 to the muscles, commencing about where the operculum joins the 

 cranium, and continuing it parallel with the dorsal outline to the centre 

 of the tail. A similar cut is made from above the pectoral fin, till it 

 also reaches the centre of the tail ; by this means somewhat less than 

 a third of the side is included between the lines. The fish is kept 

 steady on a smooth board, adhering to it by the natural gluten, water 

 being poured over it from time to time, so as never to allow the scales 

 to dry. The skin is then dissected back as far as the dorsal margin, 

 where it meets the bony rays which support the fins. These are cut 

 across, as close to the skin as possible, Avith a strong pair of scissors or 

 a cutting forceps. A similar process is used towards the abdomen, 

 taking care to keep as close to the fascia to which the scales are 

 attached as possible. The first vertebra is then divided from the 

 cranium, and the skinning process continued by lifting up the body 

 and leaving the skin adherent to the board, from which it should never 

 be removed, if possible, till the dissection is completed. Diflficulty 

 Avill be experienced towards the tail, where the muscles become more 

 tendinous, and are attached to the subcutaneous fascia. The rays of 

 the caudal fin are then divided from the vertebra, and the body 

 removed entire. The gills are next taken out, and the flesh of the 

 cheeks and any remaining portion about the head or thorax. It is as 

 well, perhaps, to leave in the scapula, or a large portion of them. An 

 opening is made into the side of the cranium, whei^e it will be found 

 very thin, and the brain taken out. The eye is completely removed on 

 the reverse side ; a hook, passed down through the orbit, transfixes the 

 back of the sclerotic of the other eye, in which an opening is made ; 

 the finger then pressed on the cornea in front will squeeze out the lens 

 and humours, retaining the iris perfect in its place, and the author has 

 lately succeeded in retaining the gills, if necessary ; the tongue is left 

 in, and the fish is then cleansed from all impurities, taking care not to 

 stretch the skin nor to injure the scales. It is next dried, and either 

 well anointed with arsenical preparation or the spirituous solution of 

 corrosive sublimate. The eye is filled with cotton from the opening 

 in the back ; care being taken to keep the iris in its natural position. 

 The cranium is also stuffed; and flakes of tow, cotton, or any material 

 of light description, laid along the body till a sufl[iciency to give the 

 form of the animal is put in. The reflected edges are then returned ; 

 the fish is removed from the board, and placed with the front up ; the 

 tail and fins, expanded, are pinned down in their natural position, on 

 cards, supported by little bits of cork ; the fish is given its proper 

 shape, and the inequalities on its surface smoothened off with a soft 

 brush ; it is then set to dry in a current of cool air, with little sun, and 

 should be watched to see that it dries equally, and that no part of the 

 skin shrinks more than another. If it should, a brush, wetted in cold 

 water, touched upon the part, will restore it. It should be varnished 

 the moment it is sufficiently dry, and the cards, &c., removed from the 



