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Grasp the body with the pincers and pull it out through the 
mouth, and fasten it to a hook. The body is now to be 
pulled from the enveloping skin; to accomplish tbis it is 
necessary to avoid all strain, that the scales upon the outside 
may not be disarranged, using the scissors and scalpel to 
sever the ligaments which bind the skin to the carcass. 
There is no necessity of turning the skull, but the brain 
should be removed through an opening at its base. The 
muscles within the mouth, and the eyes, should also be 
taken away. The whole should then be anointed with the 
preservative, and the skin reversed to restore it to its natu- 
tal position. Before stuffing, suspend the skin in a vertical 
Position, with the head uppermost. The form can now be 
restored with sawdust; this may be run through a tunnel, 
using a slender stick, from time to time, to lay it evenly. 
Having reached the mouth insert some putty to keep the 
sawdust from spilling out. The specimen may now be 
taken down and bent into any position wished, being sup- 
ported by a wooden framework until thoroughly dry. In 
order that the specimen may be free from the attacks of 
Noxious insects it is well to soak the sawdust in a solution 
of carbolic acid and water previous to placing it within the 
skin ; and it should be thoroughly dry, otherwise the skin is 
liable to mould. Sand can also be used to imitate the form, 
but the chief objection is its great weight. 
Of the method of skinning and mounting fish. — This class 
of animals possess many beauties, which, when thus removed 
m their native element, vanish forever, and it is in vain 
for the taxidermist to try to imitate those iridescent tints 
Which characterize the living specimens. The best he can 
is to preserve in form and general outline those charac- 
teristics by which he may be able to recognize his subject. 
Before proceeding to describe the operation of skinning it 
may be well to state that the scales, as well as their €! 
May be preserved to a certain degree by applying tissue 
Paper to them, which, from the natural glutinous matter 
