Preparing Fishes and Reptiles. 41 



CHAPTER IV. 



SKINNING AND MOUNTING FISHES AND REP- 

 TILES. 



FISHES. SKINNING. 



These may be opened in two ways, accord- 

 ing to the position in which the specimen is 

 to be mounted. If the fish is to rest on its 

 belly, an incision should be made the entire 

 length of the ventral surface, from the gills to 

 the end of the tail. If the fish is to rest on its 

 side, the incision should be made on the side. 

 Before proceeding farther cover the entire fish 

 with tissue paper which will adhere with the 

 use of thin gum. 



Now, with the scalpel, handle carefully, detach 

 the soft parts from the skin, cutting rib-bones 

 with the scissors, until the back is reached. Cut 

 through the fin-bones, and the body will be 

 found quite loose. Detach the tail end, and re- 



