REPTILES, BATRACHIANS, AND FISHES. 37 



specimens are ready to be linally 2^<'^cked. The spirit, which gets 

 weaker with every specimen immersed in it, has to be renewed 

 occasionally. These cases are very convenient and practical ; but 

 they can be replaced by simpler arrangements, such as common 

 earthenware jars closed with cork or rubber. The conditions 

 which any such vessels ought to fulfil are : (1) that they are 

 spacious; (2) that they have a wide opening; and (3) that they 

 can be closed tightly so that the spirit cannot evaporate, but yet 

 that they can easily be opened at any moment. 



Specimens which are to remain permanently packed or to be sent 

 home should be placed in zinc cases, of varynig sizes, with closely 

 fitting wooden outer covers. But these cases must not be made too 

 large, because the specimens might suffer if the pressure of the 

 contents was too great, and because the risk of damage to the cases 

 themselves inci-eases in proportion to their size. Such a case ought 

 not to have a greater internal capacity than 18 cubit feet at the 

 utmost ; and when the specimens require the length of the case to be 

 increased, the depth or breadth must be reduced in proportion. The 

 traveller may take a certain number of cases ready made with him, 

 packing them with articles needful for the journey; or, to save space, 

 he may take only zinc plates cut to the proper size, which he can put 

 together when required : the wooden outside boxes may be obtained 

 alniost anywhere. But under all circumstances he must provide 

 himself with a soldering-apparatus, after having learnt its use. A 

 pair of shears for cutting the zinc is also useful. 



Wooden casks are unsuitable, especially in hot countries, for the 

 transport of specimens in spirit. They should not be employed, 

 except in cases of necessity, or for packing large or salted specimens. 

 Yery small specimens, or those which are specially liable to be 

 damaged, must not be packed with larger ones, but must be kept 

 separately in small bottles or jars. In closing these, sealing-wax 

 should never be used, as spirit readily dissolves it. 



Method of 'preserving . — All reptiles — except large Turtles, Crocodiles 

 and Alligators above 4 feet long, and Snakes above 10 feet long — 

 are suitable for preserving in spirit. A deep incision should be 

 made in tjae region of the stpmach, and a second at some distance 



