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advantages in weight reduction, reduced danger of leakage, and ease of ship- 
ment (Taub, 1962). An efficient method of preparing a 10 per cent formalin 
solution from it has been outlined by Huheey (1963): 16 grams of para- 
formaldehyde and 4 grams of anhydrous sodium carbonate are mixed. A 
small amount of a wetting agent (e.g., Alconox) appears to disperse the solid 
more readily and change the solution. The dry mixture may be kept in glass 
vials or in pockets made of polyvinyl film sealed with a hot iron. The 
contents of one pack dissolved in 400 ml of cold water yields a buffered 10 per 
cent formalin solution. 
If formalin is not available or cannot be used, 95 per cent (reptiles) or 
70 per cent (amphibians) ethyl or 40 per cent isopropyl alcohol may be used 
as the initial preservative. Specimens initially preserved in these solutions 
have to be carefully inspected periodically during the first few days of 
preservation to watch for areas which have not preserved well. If preserved 
in ethyl they should be transferred to 70 per cent after 24 to 48 hours. As a 
last resort methyl, wood, or rubbing alcohol (add about one-fifth water) or 
strong alcoholic spirits (preferably ‘overproof’) may be used. Liquor which 
is 100 proof is only 50 per cent ethyl alcohol. If no liquid preservatives are 
available, specimens may be placed in a strong brine solution (one pound of 
salt to one gallon of water). If the specimens are intended for a museum and 
if weak alcohol or salt had to be used, these specimens should be shipped as 
soon as possible so that they can receive additional attention. 
Specimens may also be frozen. They may either be thawed and pre- 
served, as one would a fresh specimen, or placed in a solution of 10 per cent 
formalin to thaw and injected later. 
The following procedure is best for most adult and juvenile specimens. 
Large specimens, tadpoles, larvae, and eggs are discussed separately, as are 
special methods which retain skin colour. 
Injecting. All herptiles, except very small frogs and salamanders, should 
be injected with preservative using a hypodermic syringe. A 50 cc capacity 
syringe is the most convenient. Snakes should be injected in several places 
throughout their length; frogs, lizards, and salamanders need only a single 
injection in the body cavity. Turtles should be injected in the body near the 
insertion of each leg, and the legs and neck should also be individually injected 
so that they stand out from the body. If no syringe is available, a single slit 
may be made with a sharp scalpel or scissors to one side of the midline of the 
underside in large frogs, salamanders, and lizards; several slits of an inch or 
more in length and two or three inches apart may be made along the underside 
in snakes, and in the legs and flesh parts between the shell in turtles. Often 
the best results with snakes are obtained by a combination of both injection 
and slitting. A slit should always be made along one side of the underside of 
the tail. In male snakes and lizards, one hemipenis should be everted by 
pressing at the base of the tail, and the specimen should be preserved with the 
hemipenis everted. An injection of preservative into the base of the tail will 
keep it extended. 
A piece of absorbent cotton, large enough to hold the jaws open, should 
be inserted into the mouth so that it may be readily examined without undue 
damage to the specimen after it has hardened in preservative. If the cotton 
is placed in the mouth of a frog before measuring, it aligns the head with the 
body for measuring. 
If reptiles and large amphibians are not injected or slit, they will often 
develop soft areas due to decay which began before the preservative was able 
