
484 HINTS ON TAXIDERMY. 
which covers the scales will adhere firmly; this being 
allowed to remain until the skin has dried may be easily 
removed by moistening with a damp cloth. All small fish 
should be mounted in section, while the larger varieties may 
be preserved entire. Suppose the fish to be of such a size 
as to be mounted in section, first, it is necessary that it be as 
fresh as possible, as the scales will become detached if decay 
be allowed to commence. Lay the fish on one side and 
cover the side uppermost with tissue paper, as stated above; 
also extend the fins by means of the same, and allow them 
to remain a few moments until they become fixed and dry; | 
this will be a protection to the fins and scales during the 
process of skinning. Having provided yourself with a 
damp cloth spread it smoothly upon the table, and place 
Fig. 77. the fish upon it with 
the papered side down. 
With the dissecting scis- 
— T sors eut the skin in the 
Bose M 2 manner indicated by the 
D dotted line a, in Fig. 77, 
e and remove the skin (4) 
included within the line. The remaining skin must now be 
detached from the flesh, beginning at the head and separ- 
ating it downward toward the tail. The spine must be sev- 
ered close to the head, and also at the tail, and the entire 
body removed. All the flesh having been taken from the 
skin, and the eyes removed, the inside must be wiped out 
and the preservative applied. It is necessary here to repeat 
the caution not to use any unnecessary strain that will be 
liable to distend the skin. The skin should now be filled 
with cotton or tow, and this must be laid so evenly that. 
there shall be no prominences upon the outside of the same- 
When filled it should be laid with the open side down, upon 
a board of proper dimensions previously prepared, and fast- 
. . ned to it by means of small tacks, commencing at the head, 
_ and fastening the edges (as at a, Fig. 77) downward to 





