In a prosecution for forging, or altering, or attempting to employ as true, any forged instrument or other thing, and in a prosecution for any of the offenses mentioned in article four, chapter sixty-one of this code, it shall not be necessary to set forth any copy or facsimile of such instrument or other thing, but it shall be sufficient to describe the same in such manner as would sustain an indictment for stealing such instrument or other thing, supposing it to be the subject of larceny.