MANUAL OF NATURAL HISTORY. 647 



be procured relating to those species which should 

 be avoided in combat, and which should be captured 

 with care. 



A very slight blow across the spine of a snake 

 will sufficiently paralize it to stop its progress ; 

 when secured, with a small and sharp-pointed pen- 

 knife, or some such instrument, wound the spinal- 

 cord immediately between the base of the skull and 

 the first vertebrae, which, without injuring the spe- 

 cimen, will instantly put an end to its power to 

 escape or to do harm ; this can readily be managed, 

 supposing the species to be a venomous one, by 

 placing a stick on its head while the operation of 

 pithing is performed. A little noose of fine copper 

 wire fastened to the end of a rod may sometimes be 

 serviceable for capturing specimens. 



All small species are best preserved in spirits, and 

 it is only the larger ones which should be skinned. 

 When a specimen is put into spirit, care should be 

 taken to allow some of the fluid to get into the 

 intestinal canal which can most certainly be effect- 

 ed by injecting it into the mouth with a syringe; the 

 neglect of this precaution often causes the loss of 

 the epidermis about the lower part of the abdo- 

 men, even when specimens are placed singly in strong 

 spirit. When collecting for transportation, too many 

 specimens should not be put together into one jar, 

 as the quality of the spirit frequently becomes so 

 deteriorated as to destroy its preservative properties. 



Skinning. Turtles may be prepared by sepa- 

 rating the plastron from the carapace, which can 



