SKINNING AND PRESERVING REPTILES. 51 



SERPENTS IN GENERAL. 



Skinning. — In skinning serpents there is some nicety required, 

 to cut them so as not to disfigure the scales ; the opening should 

 be made in the side, commencing at the termination of the scales ; 

 and they should on no account be divided, as upon their number 

 the species is mostly determined. 



It is a very frequent practice to send home serpents without the 

 head, which renders 1them quite unfit for any scientific purpose. 

 This proceeds from the fear of receiving poison from the fangs. 

 But there is not the slightest danger of being affected, as these can 

 easily be cut out by means of pincers. The head should be cleaned 

 and the brain removed, in the same manner as recommended for 

 birds and quadrupeds, the skull anointed and then returned into 

 the skin. 



When the skin is removed, it may be rolled up and packed in 

 small space. The simplest way to preserve small species is to put 

 them in spirits, which must not be too strong, as it will destroy 

 the colors. 



Mr. Burchell, in his four years' journey through Africa, glued 

 the skins of the smaller serpents perfectly flat on paper, which pre- 

 served the size of the animal, and the skin retained all the beauty 

 of life. 



Stuffing. — The skin, if not recent, must be first softened in 

 the manner recommended for birds. A piece of wire is taken, the 

 length of the animal, which must be wrapped round with tow till 

 it is of a proper thickness, and above the whole a spiral band of 

 silver should be carefully wrapped. It is then placed inside of 

 the skin, and sewed up. The eyes are placed in, as directed for 

 quadrupeds and birds. When dry, give the serpent a coat of var- 

 nish, and then twist it into any attitude wished. A favorite and 

 striking one is to have it wound round some animal, and m the act 

 of killing it. 



FROGS AND TOADS. 



Skinning.— The mouth is opened, and the first vertebrae of the 

 neck is cut. The whole inside of the mouth is cut out with scis- 

 sors. The two jaws are next raised up and the skin is pushed 

 back with the fingers of the right hand, while the body is drawn 



