2 



All these animals should be suitably boxed and transmitted, as 

 far as possible, alive ; or, if dead, packed iu ice, so as to insure their 

 coming iu good condition. The serpents require no special precau- 

 tions in the way of packing ; if of nearly the same size several may 

 be sent together. If the disproportion be very great, there is, how- 

 ever, danger that the larger may devour the smaller. No rattle- 

 snakes, copperheads or moccasins should be transmitted. The 

 turtles should be wrapped or sewed up in some kind of cloth, so as 

 to prevent friction. They should not be sent loose with the softer 

 objects. Serpents require no moisture ; frogs and salamanders 

 should be packed with wet moss. 



Among the turtles should be included the soft-shell species, the 

 true terrapins, the land tortoises, etc. 



Single specimens of any living reptiles, as well as larger num- 

 bers, including duplicates, will always be gladly received, and due 

 acknowledgment made for the same. 



The largest procurable representatives of each species is desi- 

 rable. 



Transmissions may be made by any express company, freight to 

 be paid in Washington. 



JOSEPH HENRY, 



Secretary S. I. 



Smithsonian Institution, 



Washington, February 1, 1878. 



