REPTILES. 67 



ones, but be sure to place them in the proper position. 

 To place a frog or toad in a fancy attitude, place a ball of 

 grass in the body, and wire the legs as described in small 

 mammals. 



The best time to collect toads and frogs is during the 

 breeding-season in spring. The salamanders may be found 

 imder stones and logs in damp places ; also some species in 

 springs and clear running brooks, under stones. They 

 must be placed in alcohol at once. 



Lizards and alligators may be skinned in the following 

 manner : Make an incision the whole length of the belly, 

 and skin as described in mammals, leaving the skuU in. 

 Do not try to remove the skin from the top of the head, as 

 it will be likely to tear. The leg-bones should be cleaned 

 and left in. The reptile is then mounted in the same 

 manner as a mammal. Lizards and small alligators may 

 be put in alcohol. 



The eggs of frogs and of salamanders may be preserved 

 in alcohol. The eggs of lizards, alligators, and turtles 

 may be blown in the same manner as birds' eggs ; but it is 

 weU to place some in alcohol if they are in an advanced 

 state of incubation, as they wiU serve to illustrate the 

 growth of the embryo. But the egg must be broken 

 slightly to admit the alcohol to the embryo. 



Last winter I accidentally made a discovery relative to 

 the preservation of fish and reptiles. While travelling in 

 Florida, I accidentally lost some alcohol. Being unable 

 to replace it, and having some reptiles to preserve, I put 

 about an ounce of carbolic acid into a glass jar, with half 

 a pound of arsenic ; to this I added a quart of water, — '■ I 

 wiU here remark that the waters of Florida are strongly 

 impregnated with lime. Into this composition I put some 

 reptiles and a few young mammals. After two weeks, the 

 jar was packed with others in a box, and sent North by 

 express. 



