158 VENOMS 
placed in a desiccator over calcium 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- 
Fie. 88.—CoLLECTING CoBRA VENOM AT PONDICHERRY (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. 
