74 HERPETOLOGY OF MICHIGAN. 



The above outlines may very easily be elaborated by teachers into 

 laboratory directions. We would suggest, first, the identification 

 of specimens accompanied by notes on individual and sexual varia- 

 tion ; second, observations on the habits of captive specimens ; third, 

 field study of habits and habitats ; fourth, the preparation of tables 

 to show in a comparative way the characters and habits of the 

 different species studied; and, fifth, a summary of the ways in 

 which the characters are evidently adaptive. 



METHODS OF COLLECTING AND PRESEKYIXG SPECI- 

 MENS. 



Collecting: As the rattlesnake is the only poisonous serpent in 

 Michigan, the collecting of reptiles may be done with safety by any 

 one well enough acquainted with this species to distinguish it. With 

 the exception of the rattlesnake, all of the Michigan snakes may be 

 grasped in the hands, with no more dangerous results than would 

 occur in the case of a bird the size of a robin. It is always most 

 convenient to grasp the animal by the neck, however, as it is then 

 more easily handled and examined. Cloth bags about the size of 

 those used to hold corn meal or a little smaller should be carried 

 in the field. The snakes, turtles and lizards ma^^ be dropped into 

 these and carried back alive to the laboratory or work room. 



Lizards ma}' frequently be grasped in the hand and always with 

 impunit}', but if seized by the tail there is great probability that 

 this alone will be secured, as the animals part with this member 

 readily. The most efficient way to capture them alive is to cauti- 

 ousl}' slip over their heads a noose made of horse hair, thread or 

 fine wire and placed on the end of a stick. Turtles may be readily 

 picked up by the carapace (upper shell), it only being necessary 

 to avoid the jaws of the larger ones. 



Collectors who wish to obtain series of specimens in a short time 

 will find it more advantageous to shoot the larger snakes, lizards, 

 rattlesnakes, and those forms that frequent the margins of lakes, 

 ponds and streams. In our collecting we find it ver}^ convenient 

 to carry a small, double-barreled shot-gun (44 gauge, which takes a 

 40-85 brass rifle shell, or a 28 gauge) or a 22 caliber target pistol 

 bored smooth and shooting the .22 shot shell. We load the 

 shotgun shells with a small charge of black powder, and dust shot 

 (No. 14). Charges of these sizes do not usually greatly injure the 

 specimen. 



Cages. Very efficient and cheap cages for snakes and lizards may 



