COPEIA 91 



Except when the lizards were startled, I found 

 little difficulty in getting within shooting distance of 

 even the speediest of them. This I ascribe to their 

 bump of curiosity, developed apparently to a high 

 degree. Thus, on another occasion, I recall capturing 

 with a net a number of Crotaphytus while their at- 

 tention was fixed upon the antics — a sort of war 

 dance — performed by a companion. The material be- 

 fore me is represented largely by species of Calli- 

 saurus, Crotaphytus, JJta, Sceloporus, Cnemido- 

 phorus, etc. 



The small bore shotgun or pistol, while a reli- 

 able weapon, has the disadvantage of causing more 

 or less mutilation. In a hot and dry climate badly 

 injured or dead specimens discolor and shrivel quick- 

 ly, often before they can be brought to camp. Best 

 suited for every purpose of study is material brought 

 in alive. If they are not intended for osteological 

 preparations I have obtained the most satisfactory 

 results from specimens killed in formalin 4%. In this 

 medium reptiles retain their natural proportion and 

 color much better than if placed into alcohol at once. 

 I make no incisions, but instead use a small veterin- 

 ary syringe with a set of hypodermic needles. This 

 leaves no outward marks where injections have been 

 made. An injection through the vent usually suffices 

 for lizards. Snakes require additional injections be- 

 low the ventral scales. Collapsed regions are easily 

 restored by means of the syringe during the process 

 of curing. After 3 to 4 hours specimens may be 

 transferred to alcohol 70% or, if intended for color 

 study at a future date, to formalin 2%. 



Geo. P. Engelhardt, 



Brooklyn, N. Y. 



HABITS OF A YOUNG BOX TORTOISE. 



The Box Tortoise (Terrapene Carolina), is al- 

 most entirely terestrial in its habits, although excep- 

 tions have been recorded recently by contributors to 



