158 



VENOMS 



placed ill a desiccator over calcium chloride or sulphuric acid, iii 

 order to dry it rapidly. In hot countries, and where no laboratory 

 specially equipped for the purpose exists, it will suffice to dry the 

 venom in a current of air, or eveia in the sun. It then concretes in 

 scales of a citrin colour, more or less dark, according to the concen- 



FiG. SS. — ColijEcting Cobra Venom at Posdicheruy (Stagf, III.). 



tration of the liquid. In this dry condition, placed in well-corked 

 bottles, protected from damp air, it may be kept almost indefinitely 

 without losing anything of its original toxic powei'. On the con- 

 trary, if the desiccation be imperfect it undergoes a somewhat rapid 

 change, and assumes a disagreeable odour of meat pepton(^ I have 

 kept samples of various venoms, dried as described, for /ifteoi years 

 without any sensible diminution of their activity. 



