42 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COLLECTING 



respectively the latitude and longitude, where eacli specimen was 

 obtained. Some of the Sea-snakes found to the north of Australia 

 attain to a considerable size, and it is desirable that the traveller 

 should preserve even the largest in spirit. Such specimens require 

 to be immersed for a comparatively long time in strong spirit, which 

 should also be changed several times. 



Many Snakes are adorned with very bright and variegated colours 

 during life, which disappear after death. If the traveller is a 

 draughtsman, and can spare time, he should make a sketch of the 

 Snake, and indicate the colours which it presented during life, so far 

 that a complete drawing of the species can afterwards be made with 

 the assistance of the sketch. 



Bateachians. 



The majority of Frogs and Salamanders and their la,rva3 are 

 covered with a very soft skin ; they should be placed in weaker 

 spirit than reptiles, in order to prevent the shrinkage of those 

 parts which are particularly soft. Although spirit of 10° undtr 

 proof may be used for the first few days, it is necessary to 

 examine the specimens every day, as the intestinal canal frequently 

 contains much food and water. The spirit must be changed three 

 times at least, and often still more fiequently, and finally replaced 

 by spirit 5° or 10° above proof. There are many remarkable facts 

 connected with the reproduction anel sexual relations in this class of 

 animals. If the traveller has arr opportunity of observing examples 

 of one or more species during the breeding-seasoi"., he should, if 

 possible, obtain eggs, watch their development, and collect larvae in 

 different stages of growth. Larvae correctly identified as to species 

 are most valuable for the study of these animals, while those of 

 whose origin nothing is known are almost always worthless. 



II.— FISHES. 



The treatment of fishes which are intendeei for preserv;ation in 

 spirit is very similar to that of reptiles and batrachians. The 

 same kinds of spirit and cases may be used ; but it is advisable to 



