ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 
123 
their escape. The enclosure attracts much inter¬ 
est, and naturally enables visitors to become 
acquainted with the deadly types of South 
American reptiles, which exist in Brazil in 
greater variety than in the United States, 
although it is doubtful if they are more nu¬ 
merous than in some areas of this country. 
The Reptile House in the Zoological Park 
contains abundant living material to furnish 
an equivalent for the collection in Butantan’s 
snake park. The writer is prepared immedi¬ 
ately to extract venom from our specimens if 
laboratory facilities can be found for the pro¬ 
duction of serums. We are thoroughly familiar 
with the processes of poison extraction and 
the sources of specimen supply. Inasmuch as 
it is quite impossible for the Zoological Society 
to undertake the production of serum, it is 
earnestly hoped that some United States insti¬ 
tution or bureau will volunteer to undertake 
that work. The actual necessities of the 
American outdoor population now demand it. 
In the meantime, it will be well for campers 
and hikers who are venturing off the beaten 
trails to become acquainted with the best kinds 
of wearing apparel to adopt for use in snake- 
infested areas. Girls in “knickers” with thin 
stockings and men in low-cut shoes are in 
generous numbers among campers. High shoes 
and stout leather or canvas leggings would 
eliminate much risk, as we have noted from 
frequent accidents. Climbing over rock ledges 
with a reckless use of the hands has produced 
numerous accidents. Another error to be noted, 
and easily avoided in this broad country, is 
the location of camps near rock ledges, places 
where poisonous snakes love to congregate. 
TANGLED VEGETATION ON THE SLOPES OF DUNCAN 
Through this maze of thorns and cacti, the tortoise was carried from the crater. James and Jervis Islands 
in the distance. 
CAPTURING A GIANT TORTOISE 
By John 
Assistant, Tropical 
Photographs by 
T HE great tortoises that inhabit the Gala¬ 
pagos Islands are close to the dark edge 
that marks extinction. On some of the 
islands belonging to the archipelago they have 
already vanished, and the remaining islands 
are supporting but a mere remnant of the vast 
numbers that once swarmed over the rough 
lava slopes of their hillsides and valleys. 
Tee-Van 
Research Station 
the Author 
Theirs is a failing race, doomed to disappear, 
unless a miracle takes place, within a few 
generations of mankind. And when they go 
they will take with them the secrets of how 
and where they originated, for to-day but little 
more is known of the beginnings of these tor¬ 
toises than when they were first discovered. 
The disappearance of these round-backed, 
hard-shelled creatures is but another chapter in 
the tale of the destruction of a race of animals 
‘Department of Tropical Research, Contribution No. 147. 
