14 
The skeletons of crocodiles and alligators may be prepared 
much as in quadrupeds. But it is scarcely worth the labor in 
an ordinary collector to attempt to prepare those of smaller 
species or genera. 
These smaller species are best preserved entire in spirits, in 
which condition they serve as well for the scientific naturalist 
to operate upon as if recently killed. 
Fishes .—The fishes of our country present a highly interest¬ 
ing and as yet but partially explored field for the naturalist. 
Many species, and perhaps genera, existing in the rivers and 
lakes of the interior of our country, are but imperfectly, if at 
all, known to the scientific world. 
To skin a fish of an ordinary form and character, an incision 
is made along the side, from the gills to the tail, and following 
the line usually seen on the side. Those with scales that easi¬ 
ly rub off require precaution in skinning, to preserve them in 
their places. If the collector catches his own fish, he should 
either allow them to die in the water or suspended in the air. 
In either instance he should, soon after death, spread out the 
fins and tail, and keep them in this position by applying along 
each side of them a thin strip of wood, and securely tying the 
ends together. If the scales be very loose, the fish should be 
enveloped whilst moist in thin tissue or other absorbent paper, 
or thin cambric. This may be allowed to dry and remain on, 
even after the fish is prepared for transportation, as it will 
serve to protect the scales when packed up. The attachment 
of the muscles to the skin in fishes, makes it somewhat more 
difficult to remove this integument in them than in quadru¬ 
peds, but fortunately such clean work is not necessary in the 
former as the latter, as the flesh of fishes is generally easily 
preserved. It must, however, be removed as perfectly as pos¬ 
sible, not only from the body but the head also, and all the 
fimbriated or fringe-like portions of the gills clipped with a 
pair of scissors from the cartilages to which they are attached. 
It is not necessary to dwell minutely on the various steps in 
the ordinary process of skinning, as the operation is very plain 
to one who has divested a quadruped or bird of its integu¬ 
ments. Some of the larger ones are opened on the belly. In 
