184 PRACTICAL TAXIDERMY. 



and liold tliem in position. Should they " run back," stick fine 

 pins in them here and there, being sure, however, to cut off the 

 heads of the latter close to the upper surface of the fins. It is 

 often advisable to lay thin card-board or strong paper under 

 the fins, if the clay is so soft as to come up over the edges. 

 Having now nicely built in the fish — the upper surface of the 

 clay being carefully smoothed over with a knife-blade and a stiff 

 brush (" Artist's hog-hair, No. 8 ") dipped in water, surround 

 the clay with pieces of board, set up on edge, so as to form a 

 wooden wall around all ; the height of this wall should exceed 

 the greatest depth or thickness of the fish by some inches. Tie 

 these four walls — planed on their inside surface — around with 

 strong string, finally nailing outside all with long "French" 

 nails, driven into the table as a support against pressure from 

 within. Look all over carefully, and if any open spaces appear 

 between the clay tablet and the boards, fill in with more clay. 

 The fish being now ready for casting, take a bowl, which half 

 fill with clean water, into this " dust in " the fine plaster of 

 Paris, in small quantities at a time, stirring each portion 

 until all is ultimately mixed smoothly and without lumps ; 

 when enough is mixed — and the knowledge of quantity only 

 comes with experience — pour it quickly, yet gently, over the 

 whole surface of the fish ; jarring the table with your fist causes 

 the plaster to settle down more evenly, without leaving " blow- 

 holes." The plaster should now be an inch or more in thickness 

 over the highest portion of the fish, in order to give sufficient 

 strength for the " return " cast. Should this not be so, mix 

 some more plaster and strengthen the cast, endeavouring to get 

 a fiat surface on the top. After ten minutes, take away the 

 nails and boards, thus allowing more air to get to the mass of 

 l^laster. In half an hour — should the plaster be of good quality 

 — the mould may be raised, turned over, and the fish will tumble 

 out, or may be pulled carefully out without the least trouble. 

 Remove the clay, and on looking into the mould it will, if 

 properly made, show every scale and every line, be free from 

 " blow-holes " or blemishes of casting, besides having a fairly 

 even and square surface surrounding the cavity from whence the 

 fish has been exti'acted. This first mould can be cast into again 

 by plaster of Paris, and will, in the case of most fishes, turn out 



