Photographing Reptiles, etc. 



241 



(which, by the way, is most interesting) showing 

 the different stages of the frog from the egg up, it 

 can be successfully accomplished only in such an 

 aquarium. During the tadpole stage they can be 

 kept from the bottom and near the front by a 

 piece of glass inserted at an angle and with its 

 lower edge resting against the glass front of the 

 aquarium three or four inches below the surface of 

 the water. Care must 

 be taken, however, 

 when working in the 

 direct sunlight, not to 

 get disagreeable reflec- 

 tions from this glass 

 which might spoil the 

 picture. Otherwise it 

 cannot be seen, and 

 these reflections are 

 not apt to show except 

 when a dark back- 

 ground is used, which 

 is never advisable. 



Of all the exasperating subjects in the whole 

 range of nature work, I think the box tortoise is 

 probably without exception the worst. His fault 

 lies in remaining too still. He will withdraw 

 himself into his case, and no amount of coaxing 

 will induce him to emerge until he is ready. I 

 have often waited for, what seemed to me, an inter- 



Tree Toad "singing." 



