60 
very small slit at the point, and generally a lit- 
tle crooked. 
SERPENTS may be caught with a wire noose, 
fixed to the end of a pole, by passing it over 
their heads; and, with a pair of forceps, a 
bit of pointed wood may be introduced into 
their mouths, to extend their jaws, in order to 
examine them. They are easily killed, by a 
slight blow on the head. 
THE best method of taking off the skin, is, 
to make a long incision from the vent, above 
and below, or even up tothehead. The skin 
may then be separated, by introducing the fin- 
gers betwixt it aud the body; or, if the scales 
are minute, the reptile may be skinned in the 
same manner that is commonly practised with 
eels. The body must be cut off from the head, 
and the brains, together with the eyes, and 
