SETTING UP FISHES BY TAXIDERMIC METHODS 219 



mounted. The length and bearing of this " backbone " are 

 rendered more exact by its being formed upon the fish before 

 it is skinned, as some lengthening of the skin is sure to take 

 place afterwards in the hands of the tyro. 



Around the artificial backbone wrap paper, or wood- 

 shavings, or that packing-material called by the Americans 

 " excelsior," and tie on with hemp or string, shaping it roughly 

 to the size of the fish ; tow also may be used to supplement 

 this, or both paper and tow, or one alone may be glued, or glued 

 or pasted paper may be worked over the mass to give it shape 

 and smoothness. When this is satisfactorily accomplished, pad 

 the face of the fish between the skin and bones with putty, or 

 with the modelling-composition Formula 61, and also all other 

 parts of the head and throat from which flesh has been removed, 

 especially between the silvery skin running, as aforesaid (p. 2 1 7), 

 from the pectoral fins ; between the skin of the gums, under and 

 within the tongue, and, indeed, wherever any shrinkage would 

 be observable. Pad also the bases of the fins, including the 

 tail, with the putty or composition, and, if a thin covering is 

 laid over all the inside of the skin, it may improve it. Clay, 

 which is ordinarily so useful for everything else, will not do for 

 filling or modelling the skin of fishes, as, although apparently 

 satisfactory at first, it draws and wrinkles the skin after a few 

 days, and entirely spoils what little success may have been 

 achieved by this method. Whatever space may be left between 

 the skin and false body when inserted, should be filled with 

 sawdust, well rammed and shaken in. 



The large loop of the artificial backbone or false body 

 resting now within the head, and the smaller loop within the 

 tail, or, if a sharpened point, through the root of the tail, the 

 skin may be got together by sewing. First, however, drill the 

 bone of the pectoral arch with an awl. No. 26, and bring that 

 part together with a piece of soft wire or thick thread ; next 



