PREPARATION OF ROUGH SKELETONS LUCAS. 
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most fresh-water turtles it is necessary to saw through the bone, fol- 
lowing the line indicated in the accompauying 
diagram. 
The interior of the body being exposed, it is 
a comparatively easy matter to cut away the 
flesh. 
Usually this can be done without disjointing 
any of the legs, and it is better, especially in 
small specimens, to leave them attached to the 
body. Beware, however, of cutting into any 
bones, as they are frequently soft in texture 
and easily damaged. 
SNAKES. 
Snakes require very little care in their prep- 
aration after the skin has been removed, but in 
the larger serpents, such as boas and pythons, 
rudimentary hind legs are present and should 
be carefully preserved. 
Externally the legs appear as two little claws 
situated on either side of the vent; internally 
they are slender bones, about an inch and a half in length, loosely at- 
tached to the ribs. 
It is a comparatively easy matter to preserve both the skin and skel- 
eton of any good-sized snake by exercising a little patience. 
Do not try to skin through the mouth, but make a long cut on the 
under side and skin either way from it. 
Coil up the skeleton and it will make a very compact bundle. 
CROCODILES. 
The breastbone of crocodiles extends the entire length of the body, 
and although the hinder portion of it is not attached to the backbone, 
yet great care is necessary in disemboweling not to cut away any of the 
slender bones of which it is formed. 
There are also cartilaginous projections on the ribs which should not 
be slice d off* in roughing them out. 
FISHES. 
Fishes vary so much in their structure that it is a difficult matter to 
giver any directions for preparing their skeletons that would be of much 
service. Almost invariably there are two rows of ribs present, and 
these extend backward for some distance. 
Proceed slowly and carefully, as the edge of the scalpel will often give 
notice of some unsuspected bone. 
Fig. 10.— Shell of a Turtle 
(Chrysemys marginata). A A, 
where cuts should be made to re- 
move the lower shell or plastron. 
Fig. 11.— Limb of a Python 
(P. mohirua), full size. 
