38 | 
TORTOISES, &c. 
Separate the shell of the back from the breast-work with a 
strong, short knife; and if the force of the hand be not suffi- 
cient, strike the knife with a mallet. When the animal is open, 
take away all the flesh from the skin, head, feet, and tail, leaving 
them attached to the upper shell. Preserve them with the 
solution of corrosive sublimate, and then stuff them with 
cotton, well soaked in the same liquor. 
LIZARDS AND SERPENTS 
Answer the purposes of a museum best if they have been 
skinned, and the skull preserved, since without the latter 
they are of little value to the naturalist. The solution of cor- 
rosive sublimate will answer best for preserving them ; and the 
skins, when dry, may be rolled up, and will then carry safely. 
Small animals of this description are most readily and effec- 
tually preserved in spirits: but if lizards are a foot or more 
in length, they require to be injected with spirits by the anus. 
Serpents should, if necessary, be cpened at the side of the 
body, as the opening on the belly will destroy the scales on 
that part, and it is desirable to have them preserved entire, the 
animals being classed by Linnzus according to the number of 
those scales. 
FISH. 
May be skinned, and preserved by the solution of cor- 
rosive sublimate, or put into spirits when the size will admit 
of it. 
SHELLS 
Are found not only in the sea, but also on land, and in fresh 
water; in the last named situations they are frequently very 
interesting. 
They should be taken in a fresh state, before they have been 
bleached by the sun, or broken by the waves on the shore. 
The animal should be removed as far as possible, after having 
been killed, by pouring boiling water on it, and allowed to cool 
gradually. The shells need no further preparation, than to be 
steeped a short time in fresh water, dried, and packed careful- 
