154 ZOOLOGY. 



last kinds : no other precautions tlian those already enunie-^ 

 rated, are necei^sary to preserve the skins. 



When first obtained, the colour of the eyes should be ob- 

 served if possible whilst the animal is alive, as they quickly 

 become covered with a thick film after death. 



Snakes form very interesting subjects in a cabinet, when 

 well preserved, and stuffed, as do all the Lizard tribes ; to 

 give them a natural attitude void of stiffness, is the principal 

 difficulty. For the Snake tribe, a wire proportioned to the 

 bulk of the Animal should pass longitudinally through its 

 whole length, this wire must be enveloped in tow, or other 

 soft material, till it has acquired the full size of the skin, 

 which being first damped, should be drawn over the wire, a 

 small quantity of the powder may be introduced Avith the 

 stufhng ; before the skin is quite dry, it should be placed in 

 its proposed attitude ; the apperture on the belly must be 

 ■neatly sewn up, and the stitches made as small as possible ; 

 when quite dry, it will be of use to slightly glaze over 

 the skin with spirit varnish. 



Lizards, and the other Animals belonging to this class, 

 should, in stuffing, be treated in all respects as the smaller 

 kinds of Quadrupeds or Birds. The shells of Turtles or 

 Tortoises should be varnished, Avhich heightens the colours, 

 and prevents the integument from peeling off. 



We received the particulars of the following anecdote from 

 an Officer long resident in Java, and as it contains several 

 useful hints, we venture to give it publicity. He says " we 



