2S6 TAXIDERMY AND MODELLING 



proper position, whilst yet not locking the fin in the mould. 

 This was managed by holding or fixing the fin in a swimming 

 position, away from the body, whilst the plaster was poured on. 

 As the mould was thickened, the part immediately around the 

 fin was, after being sufficiently strengthened, left uncovered by 

 any more plaster, and consequently the edges rose around it, leav- 

 ing the end of the fin exposed. When, therefore, the mould was 

 finished, the fin, not being covered in to its full extent, withdrew 

 easily with the fish, and left a cavity, of which the use will be 

 described. The fin was now cleanly cut from the fish along a 

 certain line which would give the best results in future joining, 

 and a separate cast made of its upper surface. (Both upper 

 and under surfaces must be cast if the fin is to be subsequently 

 shown straight out instead of a little relieved from the side.) 

 There were then two moulds made — one with the fin close to 

 the side, the other with the fin extended ; and the reason why 

 the fin was not cut off in the latter instance before the fish was 

 cast, as is done in some instances, is that it has been found 

 that fishes such as this, with very fleshy or muscular pectoral 

 attachments, do not subsequently make up at that part so 

 naturally when the fin is cut off as when the muscles are ex- 

 tended by the fin in position. 



The moulds, having been dried and oiled as before (after 

 the hollow of the pectoral fin in one case had been partially 

 filled in with clay or putty), were modelled into by the same 

 process as used for the shark, the number of layers of tissue- 

 paper and other papers being the same, the " ribs " and longi- 

 tudinal strip being, however, dispensed with, this not being 

 required for any but very large fishes. 



The completed model being trimmed of superfluous paper 

 around the head, fins, and tail, and rounded off by knife or file, 

 so as to follow the undulations correctly, the fins and tail 

 should be thinned at their under edges by file or sandpaper, and 



