78 THREE KINGDOMS. 



near its own home. Do not let visions of sparkling 

 crystals or gleaming ores from distant States blind 

 you to the value and importance of the sandstone 

 under your feet, the slate on your roof, the coal in 

 your cellar, or the pebbles by the brook. 



Geological collecting is comparatively easy, since 

 minerals and fossils do not have to be pursued over 

 brier and brake, like butterflies, nor are they perish- 

 able in their nature. They have not to be pressed nor 

 kept in alcohol. The chief drawback is that rocks are 

 hard and heavy. The former difficulty is, however, 

 readily overcome by a geological harr.mer, and the 

 latter by a stout bag and a strong arm to carry it, al- 

 though it is better if the bag can be suspended by a 

 strap from the shoulder. 



Hammers of various shapes and sizes are useful in 

 breaking and trimming specimens ; but the best ham- 

 mer for general use is one weighing from one to two 

 pounds, with a square head at one end, and tapering 

 to a chisel-like edge at the other. The square head 

 is used for breaking and trimming hard masses, while 

 the chisel-edge, which should be at right angles to the 

 handle, is well adapted for splitting shales, schists, 

 etc., and for digging out crystals and fossils. A cold- 

 chisel, or some similar sharp pointed iron, is also very 

 useful for these purposes. 



The extraction of fossils from the rock is often an 

 admirable test of patience. If the rock be hard and 

 crystalline, try to get off a chip containing the fossil, 

 take it home, and then with a small (tack) hammer 

 carefully clean it. For the more delicate fossils, like 

 crinoids, various sharp instruments like files or broken 

 dentist's-tools are often useful. Note the essential 

 points in your note-book, and sketch the fossil. If 

 you break it, clean the pieces, and stick them together 

 with mucilage in which a few drops of glycerine have 



