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MODE OF PRESERVING SERPENTS. 
19 Nov. 
the under part, and thus avoid interfering with the markings, as that 
part is generally of a plain pale color. This method has the advan- 
tage of giving to the specimen the most pleasing appearance, because 
the most uniform. But if there be any particular pattern on this 
part, the incision should be made along the side ; and, perhaps, the 
latter method may, for the purpose of science and examination, 
be preferable ; although it give a one-sided, less agreeable form 
to the specimen. The paper used for this purpose was a strong 
white cartridge-paper, cut of the necessary width, and joined to- 
gether, to the required length. The most convenient mode of 
applying the skin to the paper, is by the assistance of a short roller, 
or cylinder, held in the hand, and on which the skin and paper are 
gradually rolled. By these means, only one part of the skin coming 
on to the paper at one time, the due stretching and placing of it is 
managed with the greater exactness : but it should not be so much 
stretched as to leave a space between the scales, as this would very 
much derange the natural pattern of its colouring. For safety, the 
head may be covered by merely turning the end of the paper over it. 
The peculiar advantages of this method of preserving serpents 
are ; that their natural colors are perfectly preserved ; by being 
quite flat, a large collection may be put in a small compass, or they 
may be kept in a portfolio with all the ease of drawings, which they 
in some respects resemble ; but with an infinite superiority in exhi- 
biting their marks with a correctness not to be imitated by the 
pencil ; of whatever length, they may be all folded like a map to one 
size ; their lightness renders them so portable as entirely to do 
away the great objection to which bottles of spirits have always been 
liable with travellers ; the only provision required to be made for 
such a collection being merely that of paper; the facility with 
which they may be examined and compared ; by lying flat upon 
white paper, they no longer have that alarming and forbidding 
appearance which a serpent in its natural form presents to most 
people, but are, on the contrary, pleasing objects. If that 
revolting sensation, which seems a common feeling, can be once 
overcome, every person will readily acknowledge that the hand 
