THE REPRODUCTION OF FISHES IN PAPER 255 



ultimately fastened over those for greater security. When dry, 

 the whole, although so light, was beautifully rigid, and could 

 be lifted by any part of the framework. Finally, it was filled 

 with shavings, and very thick brown paper was folded and laid 

 along on the top of the shavings to come in between the edges 

 of the model and the centre-piece, and the whole was covered 

 with well-pasted brown paper, which united all in one plane. 

 The finished model, right side uppermost, is shown as Fig. i 

 on Plate XIII. 



The Wolf-Fish or Cat-Fish'^ 



A fine specimen of the spotted variety of this " Gigantic 

 Blenny " or " Shanny " reached the Museum through the kind 

 offices of the same lady, and, in this case, was laid upon the 

 casting-table on its side, the large pectoral fin spread out fully, 

 but closely appressed to its side, and a cast in one piece was 

 made of it. This was permissible, owing to its configuration, 

 and also by reason of its being intended as a side view, not 

 taking in both sides, but only, say, three-quarters. To do this, 

 the under surface, or rather that part next the slab, was filled 

 up with clay (damped sand would, perhaps, have been better) 

 around the whole of the fish until only rather more than half 

 was exposed ; this was to prevent the thin plaster running 

 underneath and locking up the fish. Plaster was poured over 

 it in successive coats as over the shark, and when set, which 

 would be in a quarter of an hour after the last thickness had 

 been laid on, the fish tumbled easily out of the mould, which 

 then represented, as an intaglio, rather more than half of it. 



The fish, having been washed and freed from any small 

 pieces of plaster, etc., was laid down again, and, as it had been 

 decided \o represent it as if swimming, a rather ingenious device 

 was resorted to to get the muscles of the large pectoral fin into 



' Not the American " Cat-Fish," Amia cahia. 



