OF NATURAL HISTORY. 151 



REPTILES. 



Small snakes, lizards, frogs, &c. are best preserved in spirits. 

 Large snakes and lizards are most conveniently transported 

 in spirits, bnt may afterwards be stuffed. * 



With tortoises tlie skin should be separated from the lower 

 shell all around, and the shells sawed apart each side; the 

 skinning and stuffing is then easily effected. The upper 

 shell should be slightly oiled but not varnished. 



FISH. 



Are most readily prepared for transportation by simply 

 wrapping each specimen in muslin and putting them in 

 spirits, taking care not to pack them in such a manner as to 

 distort their shape. A piece of sheet lead may be attached to 

 each, having a number stamped upon it, as a reference to any 

 written remarks which may accompany it. 



In stuffing those fish which have no scales, a slit may be 

 made in the belly, and with a little dexterity the head and 

 tail may be successively drawn out, taking care to preserve 

 the head, gills, fins and tail. The skin can then be filled 

 according to its size with bran, saw-dust, tow, cotton or straw. 

 The fins and tail must eacii be spread out on a piece of card 

 or thin board until dry, and the same precautions in preserving 

 the skin from attacks of insects used as before. 



Fish having scales should be skinned by making an in- 

 cision along one side of sufficient length, and the body 

 removed carefully so as not to bend or wrinkle the skin of the 

 other side, which would deprive it of its scales. The in- 

 cision, if the skin is sufficiently strong may be sewed up, 

 or if not, may be closed by pasting a piece of bladder or 

 muslin over it, which, as but one side is intended for exhibi- 

 tion will not disfigure the specimen. 



*In ihe collection of the Maryland Academy, the snakes and small 

 lizards are, at the suggestion of Dr. William Ed. Coale, enclosed in glass 

 tubes filled with spirit and hermetically sealed at each end. In this way 

 the specimens have a very neat appearance, besides which the minute 

 characteristics of the species, the length, number and shape of the scales, 

 &c. &c. can be more readily studied, and there is of course no evapora- 

 tion of the spirit. 



