This lengthy article comprises a detailed survey of preparation methods for animal tissues prior to investigation of morphology using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The selection and preparation of natural surfaces is outlined. For artificial surfaces (looking inside the tissue) methods discussed include: conventional embedding and sectioning, slicing, dissection with fixatives, fracturing of hard tissues, freeze fracturing of soft tissues, hypertonic perfusion before fixation, selective digestion and chemical extraction, etching (chemical etching, ion etching or sputtering), and replication. Methodology for drying the specimen which are evaluated are: air-drying from the liquid phase, critical-point drying, and freeze-drying (from water and organic liquids). Various techniques for mounting specimens on holders include attachment of wet specimens before freezing and dried tissues before coating; useful glues and cements are specified. Making the specimen surface conducting can be accomplished by evaporating a conducting material onto the specimen, spraying with antistatic agents, or converting part of the organic content of the specimen to carbon. Conditions for examination in the SEM and for x-ray microanalysis are also outlined.