Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1891-09-21
II IMITATION FISHES.
Artistic Counterfeits for the
Worlds Great Fair.
An Interesting Collection OF Crusta-
DEANS and Batrachians Produced in
the Exact Image OF
h9s' Life.

mails that live in the water is ut present
being manufactured by the United
States fish commissioner for exhibition
Mt the worlds fair in Chicago. Some
what less than five hundred specimens
will illustrate the food and other eco
nomic fishes and reptiles of this coun-
try, each one representing species
Two experts, said to be the most skill
full men living in this line of work, are
engaged in turning out counterfeit pre-
sentiments of things scaly and fnny in
the utmost variety.
The most extraordinary thing abou.
these products, says the Albany Argus,
is that they not only look but feel like the
real creatures which they initiate, the
very substance being to the touch
so like fish itself that it is difficult for
anyone who handles the objects and ex-
amines them closely to realize that he
is not dealing with the animals them.
selves. So amazingly well are they
painted that their hues are the very
tints of nature. For example, you can
take frog in your hand, pinch him and
admire the beauty of his coloring, with.
nut being able to distinguish him from
an actual batraohian just killed.
The secret of this art, which is quite
II new one, lies mainly in the compost
ton employed as material. It's basis
Is glue. The operator first takes the
fish to be initiated aad makes a plaster
mold from it in the ordinary fashion.
Then he places a wooden core inside
the mold-a fat piece of plank of tho
same general shape serves usually for
the purpose, the object being to give
Stiffne to the finished result-and
pours into the mold the melted compo-
sition. Eight or ten hours later the
mold is opened and perfect counter
part of the fish, as to shape, is taken
out. .
So admirably are all the details re-
produced that each scale is distinct.
After the counterfeit has been hung ua
10 dry for few days it is painted
with oil colors in manner as
near to nature as possible,
fir sh specimen not long out of
the water being used for copy. This
done. the thing is finished. In the proc
css of molding, stiffening was given
to the fins and tail with ordinary wire
mesquite netting.
The fishes required for molding and
copying, with colors, are being sent to
Washington rs fast as required from
the various stations of the fish commits
sion all over the country. Most of
them at present are being obtained
from Woods Holl. It may be that the
experts will be obliged to go them.
solves to Galveston, San Francisco and
elsewhere, in order to secure fresh
specimens from the gulf, Pacific and
lake waters. Those forwarded hithel
are wrapped in cloths as quickly as
possible after being captured ano
packed III ice for shipment.
Some superb bulltrogs have just ar
rived from southwest Missouri. They
are two feet in length. Turtles OF
every edible variety will also be shown
in the collection, including the various
tarrapins, the snapper, the green turtle
ind others. In in liking models of them
tn shells and bealSs of the animals
themselves are utilized. About dozer
kinds Of snakes which are destructivt
tofisheswi!l he represented incidentally
HOLSTERS, crabs and other crustacca
will likewise be shown. Some giant
crayfishes nearly foot long have come
IN with the big frogs from the Ozarl
region There is no reason why thcy
Should not be introduced worry profitabl,
10 the fresh waters all over the United
States, and it Is not unlikely that tho
fish commission will take stops to &C.
complain this end. Tho crayfish closet,
resembles the lobster in appearance, It's
meat being more delicate in flavor, ant
IL you'd be very nice indeed il til,
streams and ponds in every state coult
be stocked with this huge species
which is very prolific and can be n,ads
ut home anywhere.
An interesting hurrowing variet W of
small sort Ia very plentiful on the Pc
tolano meadows near Washington. |
lives in holes with bottle-shapcd CT
largcmcnts at the bottom, where til
aninat can usually be found by dif
ging. In tho spring .ecch one build
oyer its hurrow sort of chimney six c
eight inches high, composed Of luiuE
NJ lN1,l, ,n1, z.