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along the belly to the lower part of the head again. The dorsal, 
caudal, and anal fins, cut below their articulations. This done, sepa- 
rate the whole of the body from the left side of the skin, commencing 
at the tail. When near the head, cut off the body with the right 
ventral and pectoral fins, and proceed by making a section of the head 
and removing nearly the half of it. Clean the inside, and pull out the 
left eye, leaving only the cornea and pupil. Cut a circular piece of black 
paper of the size of the orbit and place it close to the pupil. Apply 
the preservative, fill the head with cotton as well as the body. Turn 
over the skin and fix it on a board prepared for that purpose. Pin or 
tack it down at the base of the fins. Have several narrow bands of 
paper to place across the body in order to give it a natural form, and 
let it dry. The skins may be taken off the board or remain fixed to it, 
when sent to their destination, where they should be placed on suitable 
boards of proper size, for permanent preservation. 
Such a collection of well-prepared fish will be useful to the prac- 
tical naturalist, and illustrate, in a more complete manner to the 
public, the diversified forms and characters of the class of Fishes, 
which specimens preserved in alcohol do not so readily show. 
I III. PRESERVING IN LIQUIDS, AND BY OTHER MODES 
BESIDES SKINNING. 
1. GENERAL REMARKS. 
The best material for preserving animals of moderate size is alcohol. 
Next to this, rum or whiskey (the stronger the better) may be em- 
ployed. When spirits cannot be obtained, the following substitutes 
may be used : — 
I. Goadby's Solution. — A. The aluminous fluid, composed of 
rock salt 4 oz. ; alum 2 oz. ; corrosive sublimate 4 grains; boiling water 
2 quarts. B. The saline solution, composed of rock salt 8 oz. ; corro- 
sive sublimate 2 grains; boiling water 1 quart. To be well stirred, 
strained, and cooled. 
II. A strong brine, to be used as hereafter indicated for Goadby's 
Solution. 
III. In extreme cases, dry salt may be used, as in salting herring, 
&c. 
To use Goadby's Solution, the animal should first be macerated for 
a few hours in fresh water, to which about half its volume of the con- 
centrated solution may then be added. After soaking thus for some 
