it down firmly, especially at the bases of the fins and
tail and into the cheek and head. Fit in the piece of pine, cutting it
down as may be necessary. Its shape will be something like Fig. 6.

Mix some more plaster, and before putting in the piece of board, pour in
the plaster on the clay, filling the skin perhaps two-thirds full.
Quickly, before the plaster sets, put in the piece of wood, carefully
pressing it down into the plaster until it is level with the upper edge
of the mold, removing any surplus plaster quickly and neatly. Sew up the
skin from one edge to the other as shown in Fig. 7.

[Illustration: SEWING UP THE SKIN. (Fig. 7)]

REMOVING SPECIMEN FROM MOLD AND DRYING.--Lay a piece of clean board of
the proper size on top of the mold, turning both over. Lift up the mold
a trifle, gently shaking it. The fish may or may not come out. If not,
turn the mold back, insert the point of a knife in the wood and try to
start the fish. In extreme cases it may be necessary to break the mold
carefully. However, there should be no undercuts to hold the fish.

Carefully wash the fish as it lays on the board to remove all clay and
plaster which may be on the upper surface. With the fingers smooth out
any wrinkles or uneven places. Sometimes, when drying, small wrinkles or
bubbles may appear in the skin of such fish as trout, but they will soon
disappear. If you placed the fish in a natural position when making the
mold and properly adjusted the cleaned skin to the mold, there should be
no wrinkles.

Place thin pieces of wood the shape of the fins between the board and
the dorsal and anal fins, which should stand out from the board a little
way. Cover the tail and the fins which lie flat with thin pieces of
wood, pinning them to the board until dry. The fins which do not lie
flat should be spread between thin pieces of wood held in place with
pins or clips.

When the surface of the fish is dry, which will be in from six to twelve
hours, give it a coat of the very best white varnish (the ordinary
yellow varnish will not do) and put the specimen in a well ventilated
place out of the sun to dry. In three or four days when the fins are
dry, remove the thin pieces of wood and apply another coat of varnish.

CAUTION.--Arsenic is poison and should be kept out of the way of
children and animals. Keep the box covered when not in use.

Cuts in the hand can be protected by covering them with liquid court
plaster. Clean the finge