158 



VENOMS 



placed in a desiccator over calciam chloride or sulphuric acid, in 

 order to dry it rapidly. In hot countries, and where no laboratory 

 specially equipped for the purpose exists, it will suffice to dry the 

 venom in a current of air, or even in the sun. It then concretes in 

 scales of a citrin colour, more or less dark, according to the concen- 



FiG. 88.— Collecting Cobra Venom at Pondicherrv (Stage III. 



tration of the liquid. In this dry condition, placed in well-corked 

 bottles, protected from damp air, it may be kept almost indefinitely 

 without losing anything of its original toxic power. On the con- 

 trary, if the desiccation be imperfect it undergoes a somewhat rapid 

 change, and assumes a disagreeable odour of meat peptone. I have 

 kept samples of various venoms, dried as described, for fifteen years 

 without any sensible diminution of their activity. 



