UEPTILi^S, BAT'RACHtANS, AND FISHES. 41 



if circumstances permit, is better preserved in spirit than dry. Of 

 course the head requires then no further preparation. 



Large Pythons and Boas are so frequently brought to Europe aUve 

 that most museums have opportunities of obtaining good skeletons; 

 and therefore ifc is not worth while for a traveller to preserve them, 

 unless they are of a size to verify reports in which Pythons exceeding 

 25 feet and Anacondas of over 30 feet are mentioned. 



The attentioQ of the traveller may be called to a few other points. 



The determination of the large River-turtles {Trio7iyx) which 

 inhabit the fresh waters of Asia and Africa is a matter of con- 

 siderable difficulty and uncertainty, which cannot be dispelled except 

 by collecting afresh large numbers of all the species without ex- 

 ception. The traveller should try to (..bfcain as many specimens as 

 possible of all ages, with their exact localities, and always witii the 

 skulls. It would also be particularly interesting to receive specimens 

 taken in copuld. 



Collecting Sea-turtles seems little likely to lead to important 

 results. However, very large specimens of the Leathery Turtle 

 (Dermocheli/s), and more especially its skeleton, .are much sought for 

 by museums. It would also be important to obtain embryos in the 

 shell in different stages of development.* 



Comparatively little is known at present of the habits and mode 

 of reproduction of Lizards ; and when the traveller has an opportunity 

 of observing any of these animals for some time, he should note down 

 everything which appears to him lemarkable. 



Of K\nakes it is urgently recommended that the small and obscurely 

 coloured species should be searched for. Many of these live habitually 

 underground, or are nocturnal animals which can only be obtained 

 by digging up the soil or by searching for them among decaying 

 substances. The Sea-snakes are very numerous in species and 

 varieties, and should receive special attention. The collector should 

 obtain all the specimens he can (except the common Platurus 

 and Ilydrus) ; but he must be careful to note the exact locality, 



* Embryos of all species vvhicli are enclosed in egg-shells should be preserved 

 in the strongest spirit, after several holes have been pierced in the shell, in order 

 to empty it of the fluid portion of its contents. 



