1811. 
OF PRESERVING SERPENTS. 
471 
large strong paper, and placed between a number of other sheets to 
absorb the moisture. It was put into the press, leaving the head 
out so as not to be crushed, and kept there till perfectly dry ; taking 
care every day, or every other day, to remove the sheets that had 
become damp, and replace them by an equal quantity of dry paper ; 
but the skin itself was never separated from that sheet to which its 
inner side had adhered. 
The success of this first experiment, pleased me exceedingly ; 
for not only was the skin dried as well as could be desired, but the 
colors, and more delicate markings, were preserved with all the 
clearness and beauty of the living animal. The principle thus dis- 
covered, the practice became considerably improved in the course of 
my travels : and, for the convenience of bringing the whole of the 
subject in one point of view, I shall in this place communicate the 
latest results. 
The skin requires no antiseptic preparation, nor any varnish to 
be applied to it : nor is any gum, or paste, at all necessary for 
making it adhere to the paper ; a certain glutinous property of its 
own being sufficient for that purpose. No danger whatever is to be 
feared from handling the body ; nor will any of its juices, even if 
adhering to the fingers, produce impleasant consequences, since 
even the venom itself may be, and frequently is, swallowed without 
harm. On this subject some information is reserved for a future 
period of the Journal ; and is alluded to here, merely to show how 
little cause there is for apprehensions on this head, provided there 
be no recent wound or scratch in the operator's skin through which 
any particle of venom can get in contact with the blood. This 
would be attended with consequences, dangerous in proportion as 
the species of snake should be more or less poisonous. As the 
fangs are moveable, and may easily be turned inwards, great care 
should be taken that they do not stand out of the mouth ; for death 
may yet lurk in them, though all life may have left the serpent : nor 
would I give an assurance that even after the lapse of years, the 
fatal power may not still reside in the desiccated venom. 
In most serpents, the skin may be cut open along the middle of 
