Museums of Natural History 191 



States, where the returning materials will arrive. To demon- 

 strate the necessity of checking well in advance with customs 

 in this country, I relate the following experience. During an 

 expedition to Africa, I shipped out 3,300 pounds of plaster. 

 But, when the plaster returned to this country, in the form of 

 fish molds, the trouble began. Some of the customs people in- 



Fig. 188. Formalin can be shipped safely for long distances provided it 



is packed properly. Build individual compartments, as shown above, and 



pack sisal or excelsior on the bottom, top, and around the jars. 



sisted that Yale University pay a duty on the molds (which 

 would have been considerable with a return of over thirtv molds 

 of all sizes). The customs officials could not understand that 

 the plaster was the same material which left the country— only 

 in a different form. After weeks of correspondence and trips 

 to New York, everything was finally untangled. Much time 

 can be saved and wear and tear on the nervous system avoided 

 if you make previous contact. However, be sure to get every- 



