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 
under 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 skull 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 
well to place some in alcohol if they are in an advanced 
state of incubation, as they will 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 lAade 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 
will 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. 
