Monkfish skeleton

Example of dry preparation made to highlight a detail of or the entire skeletal system. Probably the preparation techniques of these materials were the same currently used. Once cleaned, the skeleton was mounted in a natural posture. In animals of medium to large size, like a canid, main bones - i.e. long bones, spine bones, skull and jaws - were reconnected using metal wires. For specimens of smaller size the preparation was made so that the ligaments of the whole skeleton were preserved in place, therfore remaining self-sustained (I.V.S.L.A. Collection).