[5] COLLECTING EEPTILES AND BATRACHIANS STEJNEGER. 



It is always the best policy to use the best quality of alcohol, but 

 when this cannot be had, methylated alcohol will do for temporary use, 

 at least. Even native whiskies, brandy, or other alcoholic liquids may 

 be used in cases of necessity, if of sufficient strength. As a practical 

 test for ascertaining this point, it may be said that an alcohobc liquid 

 will preserve the specimens as long as it can be ignited without first 

 being heated. 



9. Iron bar or "key" for unscrewing top of tanks. 



10. One pair of Bond's placental forceps, 12 inches long 

 (see fig. 2). Invaluable in the field both for lacking up 

 specimens and for handling the alcoholics. In the field 

 it may be carried conveniently by the side like a sword. 

 I found one of the buttonholes of my suspenders quite the 

 thing for this purpose. Price, about $2.50. 



11. Long spring forceps, not less than 8 inches long, for 

 handling alcoholics (same kind as described in Directions 

 for Collecting Birds, p. 11, fig. 8). 



12. Hypodermic syringe with needle point for injecting 

 alcohol into specimens (see fig. 3). Its capacity should 

 not be less than 60 minims. A syringe similar to the one 

 figured, in neat case, can be had for about $3. Those in 

 nickel-plated metal case (the "Phenix," for instance) are 

 to be preferred. 



13. Stringed labels (see fig. 5, page 10). 



14. Cheese cloth for wrapping. Use only white cloth 

 for wrapping as any dye is sure to be extracted by the 

 alcohol, discoloring the specimens. 



15. Knife, or scalpel, and a pair of pointed scissors (see 

 Directions for Collecting Birds, pp. 9-10). 



16. Fine metal thread, twine, and cotton thread. 



17. Note-book. W 



18. Eidgway's "Nomenclature of Colors" (see page 9). ^"'por^e^s'!'''*'^ 



19. Adhesive shipping labels (see page 13). 



flG. 3.— Hypodermic Syringe, three-quarter natnrat size. 



