[13] COLLECTINC REPTILES AND BATRACHIANS STEJNEGER. 



powder can, answers the purpose very well. Take some cotton batting, 

 soak it in alcohol and squeeze it nearlj^ dry ; then wrap each individ- 

 ual specimen up and pack them solidly in the box or can; when the 

 can is fall add so much alcohol as the contents will hold without drip- 

 ping j wrap the parcel in several thicknesses of strong paper, and tie 

 a string securely around the whole; finally, paste on a Smithsonian 

 frank label, which will be supplied upon application, and the package 

 is ready for tne mail without the sender having to go to any expense 

 for postage. 



The specimens may also be packed in their original cheese-cloth bags 

 or wrappings, in which case it will only be necessary to fill up the 

 vacant space with cotton saturated with alcohol. 



Specimens thoroughly cured and packed in this way will arrive at 

 the museum in good shape even after the lapse of weeks. They can, 

 therefore, also be sent from foreign countries, not too remote, through 

 Express Companies with but little risk or trouble. It is doubtful if 

 they could be sent through foreign parcel post on account of the writ- 

 ten labels. 



For long distance transportation it may be necessary to employ 

 sealed tin cans, screw-top collecting tanks, or wooden kegs, which will 

 allow the use of more alcohol. But even in this case the specimens 

 should be packed dry and as closely as possible without crowding, and 

 the vessel filled entirely so as to admit no rubbing of the contents. If 

 there are not enough specimens, fill the vacant space with cotton or 

 other suitable material, being careful not to employ any from which 

 the alcohol will extract any discoloring matter ; alcohol is then poured 

 in until all vacant space is filled, and the vessel sealed hermetically. 

 If a metal vessel is used it should be inclosed in a solid wooden box. 

 Glass jars should be avoided, if possible, as too liable to break. 



"DON'T." 



Finally, to sum up a few of the more important things to be avoided — 



DonH tie a label around the neck of the specimens. 



BonH forget to give the alcohol access to the interior of the speci- 

 mens. 



I>on''t slit the specimens open with a knife, but, if you have no 

 hypodermic syringe, use pointed scissors. 



DonH forget to label the specimens properly. 



DonH wrap the specimens in dry cotton, but soak it first in alcohol. 



DonH use glass jars, if you can possibly help it. 



DonH put sealing wax on the cork. 



DonH be satisfied with one specimen of a kind, if more can be ob- 

 tained. 



DonH let your hypodermic syringe dry up; keep the top screw tight 

 with ample packing between. 



O 



