
PREPARATIONS FOR REPTILES. 
that all skins, whether they are to be put away in a cabi- 
net or stuffed, should receive a washing of spirits of turpentine 
sprinkled on, and gently brushed in the direction of the feathers 
or fur. Not to trust too much to memory, it is desirable to 
measure and note the proportions of the animal before skinning, 
first taking the muzzle to the tail. Afterwards, from the junc- 
tion of the tail to the tip. Secondly, from the middle of the 
shoulder-blade, or scapula, to the articulation of the femur, or 
thigh-bone. Thirdly, the animal beimg placed on its side, 
measure from the upper part of the scapula to the middle of 
the sternum—that is, to the spot where the two sides meet 
above, and finally from the socket of the scapula to the socket 
of the articulation of the femur or thigh-bone. In addition to 
these, note, by measurement with caliper compasses, the size 
of the head, the neck, the tail, and other pomts which affect the 
shape of the animal. These measurements will serve as a guide 
in stuffing, and for the size of the case and length of the mount- 
ing wires. In the process of skinning, it is important to avoid 
penetrating to the intestines, or separating any of the abdominal 
muscles which lead to the intestines: any such accident would 
be very disagreeable, as well as injurious to the skin. 

PREPARATIONS FOR REPTILES. 
In preserving reptiles, many different modes are adopted by 
different naturalists. The first and most simple of all usually 
employed by travellers, is to put them, when small in size, into 
a vase or bottle of spirits—of spirits of wine, for example—but 
before plunging them in, it is necessary to make an incision in 
the belly, so that the liquor may enter the interior of the body, 
and preserve the intestines. This may be employed for lizards, 
frogs, toads, serpents, and for all reptiles not too large. For 
the larger kinds, as the crocodile, for instance, it is neces- 
sary to skin them; and this is done in the same way as in 
the larger mammifers, only their skins being excessively hard 
and provided with scales, it is necessary to prolong the incision 
from the belly to the throat. Without turning the skin inside 
out, raise it from the body. For the turtles, it is necessary to 
have recourse to a hand-saw; their envelope, especially in the 
terrestrial species, being so hard that it cannot be cut. The 
plastron, or breastplate, is separated from the carapace by 
making an incision on each side, and cutting through the skin 
which surrounds the anterior and posterior members with a 
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