122 PRACTICAL TAXIDERMY. 



CHAPTER XXI. 



COLLECTING, PREPARING, AND PRESERVING REPTILES. 



The alligator is the largest reptile of North America, 

 and should be skinned in the same manner as a mammal, 

 the incision in the skin being continued nearly the full 

 length of the tail. The plated skin is obstinate and diflS- 

 cult to handle when mounting, but it is easily separated 

 from the delicate white flesh. It can only be removed to 

 the occipital bone. When the skin has been thoroughly 

 cleared of flesh, place it in the pickle for preserving ani- 

 mals' skins until mounted. Or, place in a strong pickle for 

 a few days, then remove, and partially stuffing the skin 

 with any light material, dry it in a shaded spot. Alliga- 

 tors are found in the rivers and bayous of the Southern 

 States, and still further south. The larger ones are shot 

 with ball or buckshot while basking in the sun. The 

 young ones can be captured with a net. 



Lizards live among damp rocks, and under decayed 

 logs, stumps, etc. They are often taken in large numbers 

 in ponds, and creeks, and are found generally through 

 the United States. There are many species, and most of 

 them frequent the water. One large kind, known among 

 hunters as the " Racer," is found only on the dusty plains 

 of the far West. 



There is not a little superstition regarding lizards, and 

 many believe their bite causes death. The American 

 species are harmless and really pretty. Their bodies are 

 translucent, cold, and disagreeable to the touch, and their 

 varying color, as they change to different objects, gives 

 rise to much superstition. They move with remarkable 

 celerity in warm weather, but in the autumn become in- 

 active and are easily secured. They can be taken with 



