470 
DISCOVERY OF A NEW MODE 
19 Nov. 
that the traveller is exposed to the danger of being bitten : that 
season was now just commencing. 
This adder measured in the thickest part, seven inches in cir- 
cumference, and three feet seven inches in length ; and, by its dis- 
proportionate thickness, may easily be distinguished from all the 
others of this country. I have seen one about four feet and a half 
long, which, probably, is the greatest size it ever attains. The 
general color is a dusky brown, but varied with black and cream- 
coloured transverse stripes, in shapes of which it is not easy to con- 
vey an idea by mere description. 
The mode of travelling, and want of room in my waggon, did 
not admit of carrying with me all that was necessary for preserving 
in spirits, objects of Natural History. The bulk, the weight, the 
breaking of bottles, or the leaking or evaporation of kegs, had de- 
terred me in Cape Town from making any provision for this pur- 
pose. Resolved, however, to neglect no object which my time, or 
circumstances, might present an opportunity of collecting, and 
bringing home, I found myself, in many instances, taught by ne- 
cessity, methods and contrivances which I might not otherwise have 
discovered ; not only in the department of Natural History, but in 
many other affairs belonging to an expedition of this nature. These 
methods, whenever they occur, will be disclosed without reserve, in 
the hope that, to persons under similar circumstances, they may 
prove useful hints. 
For some time at a loss how it would be possible to preserve 
this Puff-adder, the idea was at last imagined of drying the skin, on 
the same principle, and in the same manner, as would have been 
done with a large leaf : but then it was to be feared that by removing 
the flesh, all its colors would be lost ; I, however, determined to 
try the experiment. The whole process was extremely simple ; 
and consisted merely in cutting it open, along the under part, 
entirely from the head to the point of the tail, and stripping off 
the skin, which was found to separate with the greatest facility. 
All the flesh was cut away as closely as possible to the head, which 
was left ertire. The skin was then spread flat on a sheet of 
