REPTILES, BATIIACHIANS, AND FISHES. 39 



this is ascertained, a small square piece of zinc is soldered over the 

 hole. In order to make quite sure that the case is securely closed 

 it is turned upside-down, and left thus for the night, when it soon 

 becomes manifest if any leak exists. 



Preservation of very Large Eeptiles. 



1. Tortoises and Turtles. — It is no ea-sy matter to kill a large 

 Tortoise or Turtle which is to be prepared for a collection. The 

 traveller will perhaps consider whether it may not be possible to 

 bring the animal to Europe alive, as it can live for ten or twelve 

 months without food in some corner of the ship. If this is im- 

 practicable, a long knife should be thrust into the base of the neck 

 in the direction of the heart, in order to sever some of the large 

 blood-vessels. Both the skeleton and the skin of the same in- 

 dividual may be preserved ; bub if one or the other has to be 

 sacrificed, it is of more importanc3 to preserve the former. First 

 the abdominal shield must be removed by sawing through the 

 narrow isthmus on each side, and then carefully loosening with a 

 knife the skin which is attached to the bone in front and behind. 

 A straight cut is made along the middle of the skin from the chin 

 backwards ; and after the skin has been turned aside to the right 

 and left, it is easy to remove all the soft parts, as well as the 

 greater part of the muscles of the neck, extremities, shoulder-blades, 

 and pelvis. The head is the only part which is troublesome, as, in 

 removing the soft parts, skin and bones may be easily injured. If 

 the skin is to be preserved, as well as the carapace and the bones, 

 the whole of the inner surface must be painted with arsenical soap. 

 Finally, all the parts are bent back into the hollow of the carapace, 

 and allowed to dry in that position. When they are dry, the 

 plastron is restored to its natural position, and is letained there by 

 tying a string round the carapace. This method may also be adopted 

 in the case of small Tortoises, if the traveller has to be very economical, 

 with his supply of spirit ; otherwise small Chelonians can be placed 

 bodily into spirits. 



2. Crocodiles and Lizards. — In the case of large Crocodiles and 

 Alligators, it is impossible to preserve both the skin, and the skeleton 



