oily gasoline, drop in alcohol or formaldehyde
solution while the body is prepared. To do this cut out the board by the
outline on it with a short bevel on the back and the other side the full
shape of the fish. The whole form is slightly diminished, however, to
allow for a coating of clay. This is applied after the skin has been
removed from the solution and poisoned.

When a good fit is secured the skin is fastened in place by sewing from
top to bottom, across the back board, or if large, nailing the edges to
the board. The fins which have been kept wet are to be spread; each
clamped with two pieces of pasteboard. On very large fish spring clothes
pins may be used to clamp the fins, for small ones pins forced through
both thicknesses, _outside_ the fins.

Sponge the fish off carefully to remove all clay or other dirt and give
it a coat of rather thin white varnish. This prevents the scales curling
up and to some extent fixes or restores the colors of the fish.

The eye is set after the fish is dry and if it does not fill the socket,
model around it with wax or paper pulp. Fish eyes vary so greatly that
to strictly copy nature you had better use the uncolored fish eyes,
painting the back with suitable oil colors with a coat or two of shellac
over it to prevent the clay in which it is set from affecting the paint.
The final painting of a mounted fish which is necessary to complete the
best work is a task for an artist. If a specimen in the flesh (living if
possible) is at hand this is made easier. All fish skins collected
should be accompanied by color sketches if possible.

All silvery fish should be coated with size and nickel leaf over their
entire scaly surface. On this ground paint with thin oil colors. If the
paint is not too thick the desired silvery sheen will show through. If
the whole fish is dark no leaf is needed and in some cases the upper
part of the body requires a gold ground with the nickel leaf on the
silvery under parts. Japanese gold paint or something similar will do
for a golden ground.

The finished medallion may lie flat in a case, be fastened on the face
of a panel, or hung by a loop at the mouth or center of back. Panels of
natural wood are a favorite mount and framed panels covered with plush
or the imitation pebbled upholstery leather.

Another method of mounting medallions is to take a plaster mold of the
display half of the fish and from it make a plaster cast like the back
board. Thi