This will leave the specimen in a relaxed position. Those specimens with hard skin and pigmentation such as the worm snake or frog are skinned. Fish must have thier scales removed from the body. The scales are dermal in origin and will stain. Fishes should be eviserated if they are very small.
Fetuses are also eviscerated.
2 O for one hour by decantation. Note - Specimens which have already been preserved in formalin or alcohol should be soaked in water for one hour. The KOH should equal twice the volume of the specimen . Because of the delicate muscle composition of the frog and worm snake, a weak solution of KOH must be used. The time required for digestion of the specimen will vary with the size of the specimen.