54 the taxidermist's guide. 



some care at first. It must be commenced at the head, and sepa- 

 rating it downwards with the assistance of a knife, and the fin- 

 bones must be cut through with scissors. The spine must now 

 be cut through close to the head, and also at the tail, and the body 

 removed. 



All the animal matter having been completely removed from 

 the skin, the inside must be wiped dry, and the preservative ap- 

 plied in the same manner as directed for birds and quadrupeds. 

 Great care is necessary to prevent it from being too much dis- 

 tended. 



In Sharks and large Fishes, an incision is made below the 

 head, and extended to the fin of the tail ; the skin is then sepa- 

 rated on each side with a scalpel, cutting back as far as possible, 

 so that the vertebrae may be cut close to the head. The tail is then 

 skinned. The head is pushed inwards, and the skin passed over 

 it above, and all the cartilage cut carefully away. Care must be 

 taken not to enlarge the branchial openings too much, which 

 would render it necessary to sew them up again, and it is not 

 easy to hide a seam in a fish's skin. 



Diadon, Tetradon, and Balistes, and their congeners, are 

 opened by the belly. The ostracion is enveloped in a skin, which 

 consists of a single piece, the tail of which only is free and flexi- 

 ble. The opening in the belly must not be large ; the tail must 

 be opened, the flesh cut away, and stuffed with cotton. 



STUFFING. 



The skins, being properly anointed, are filled with tow or cot- 

 ton. This must be so managed that there will be no prominences 

 on the outside of the skin, which, in fishes, is smooth and even 

 for the most part. When properly filled, they must be sewed up, 

 and set aside to dry in the air, but not exposed to the rays of the 

 sun. In a few days, the papers with which the fins were extended 

 are taken off, by damping them with a sponge. The glass eyes 

 are now introduced, after filling the orbits with cotton and a little 

 cement to secure them in their places. The skins may then be 

 coated with turpentine varnish. 



Sharks. — In stuffing these large fishes, it is necessary to use a 

 stick for a centre support. This must also enter the head, through 

 the opening of the throat, If it is intended that the specimen 



