62 FROGS AND TOADS. 



affected, as these can easily be cut out by means of pincers. 

 The head should be cleaned and the brain removed, in the 

 same manner as recommended for birds and quadrupeds, the 

 skull anointed and then returned into the skin. 



When the skin is removed, it may be rolled up and packed 

 in small space. The simplest way to preserve small species is 

 to put them in spirits, which must not be too strong, as it will 

 destroy the colours. See Receipts. 



Mr Burchell, in his four years' journey through Africa, glued 

 the skins of the smaller serpents perfectly flat on paper, which 

 preserved the size of the annual, and the skin retained all the 

 beauty of life. 



STUFFING. The skin, if not recent, must be first softened 

 in the manner recommended for birds, page 44. A piece of 

 wire is taken the length of the animal, which must be wrapped 

 round with tow till it is of a proper thickness, and above the 

 tvhole, a spiral band of sliver should be carefully wrapped. It 

 is then placed inside of the skin, and sewed up. The eyes are 

 placed in, as directed for quadrupeds and birds. When dry, 

 give the serpent a coat of varnish, arid then twist it into any 

 attitude wished. A favourite and striking one is to have it 

 wound round some animal, and in the act of killing it. 



FROGS AND TOADS. 



SKINNING. The mouth is opened, and the first vertebra of 

 the neck is cut. The whole inside of the mouth is cut out 

 with scissors. The two jaws are next raised up, and the skin 

 is pushed back with the fingers of the right hand ; while the 

 body is drawn back in a contrary direction with the other hand, 

 and the whole body is then drawn out at the mouth. The legs 

 are then returned to their proper place. 



STUFFING. The simplest method of stuffing these animals, 

 is with sand. A small funnel is placed into the mouth, and 

 pour in well dried sand. When full, a small piece of cotton 

 is pushed into the throat, with some of the cement, to keep 

 the sand from escaping on moving the animal. 



The Frog is then placed on a board, and in an attitude. 

 When quite dry, give it a coat of varnish. When this has per- 

 fectly dried, very small perforations are made under the belly 



