244 TORTOISES, ETC. 



from this portion, and replaced by tow, which 

 will preserve the form of the body. "When well 

 dried, this portion is to be carefully packed. 

 On the whole, this method is preferable to all 

 others ; and fish thus preserved, when provided 

 with proper artificial eyes, and mounted on flat 

 boards, afford excellent specimens. The upper 

 and lower shells of the tortoise tribe should be 

 separated by dividing the ligamentous or bony 

 portion which unites them on each side, between 

 the fore and hind legs; after which the fleshy 

 parts may easily be removed, the head, legs, and 

 integuments of the body being carefully pre- 

 served. As to the lizards and crocodiles, they 

 may be skinned in the usual manner, care being 

 taken not to injure the tails of the former, which 

 are very brittle, or, when not too large, they may 

 be preserved in spirits, which is still better. 



The form and colour of the eyes in all the 

 vertebrata, of whatever class, should be carefully 

 observed and noted down the moment they are 

 taken. 



