THE REPTILES OF OHIO 171 



at a number of points along the body and, in the case of snakes, in the tail 

 as well. In the event that no syringe is available the ventral surface of snakes 

 or lizards may be opened by means of a fine pair of scissors or small knife. 

 Short slits about an inch or so in length and at about one or two inch inter- 

 vals are sufficient; such openings permit the preserving fluid to penetrate to 

 the internal organs. 



After a specimen has been killed and injected it should he placed in a 

 shallow vessel containing (/ } formalin. Care must be exercised at this point, 

 however, to Dose the specimen in the position which it is desired for it to 

 assume permanently. Snakes are best coiled in a bottle with a wide bottom and 

 wide top such as an ordinary mason jar. Lizards are best posed in a straight 

 line unless they are e.xceptionally large when they may be coiled like the 

 snakes. Turtles should have their limbs and heads pulled out of the shells 

 sufficiently far so that they can be seen and studied. 



For permanent storage of small specimens, m.ason jars or wide-mouthed 

 bottles with close fitting ground glass stoppers are most satisfactory. When 

 rubber jar rings are used they must be inspected and replaced periodically. 

 Ground glass stoppers may be coated with vaseline before they are inserted. 

 For the larger snakes and turtles larger containers are necessary. Gallon 

 pickle or mayonnaise jars are useful for all but the largest specimens although 

 it is often difficult to make the lids of such vessels fit tightly. When large 

 material is to be stored special earthenware crocks or metal containers are 

 necessary. These can be secured from most biological supply houses. For 

 permanent storage IQ)^ f alcohol is best, especially if the material is to be 

 lemoved occasionally for study. In cases in which alcohol is not available 6% 

 formalin may be substituted. Before specimens are transferred from formalin 

 to alcohol they should be rinsed carefully in water. Storage is best made in 

 dark, or even light-tight rooms or closets, as specimens fade in color very 

 rapidly if they are exposed to strong light. 



Specimens are worth little unless they are properly tagged. Labels should 

 be tied directly to specimens and to prevent tearing or loss they should be 

 of pure tin, parchment or some other resistant substance Linen thread is 

 most satisfactory for tying. Tags are usually attached to one of the hind feet 

 in turtles. In snakes they are tied around the body a few inches back of the 

 head but care must be taken not to pull the thread too tightly or the scales 

 will be injured. In lizards the tag is tied around the body just anteriorly to 

 the hind legs. 



A number should be stamped or placed in some other unalterable way 

 upon each tag. Record of the numbers may be kept in a notebook or cata- 

 logue in which also is entered all pertinent data. These should always include 

 the name of the species, the exact locality in which it was collected, the name 

 of the collector and the date. Such other items as the date of preservation, 

 notes on habitat and record in captivity should be added if they are known. 

 Data may be written directly upon the tags attached to the specimens, but 

 even if this is done a number should be used and an additional record kept. 



