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§ IX. MINERALS AND FOSSILS. 



The collections in mineralogy and palaeontology are, amongst 

 all, those which are most easily made ; whilst, on the other hand, 

 their weight, especially when travelling, will prevent their being 

 gathered on an extensive scale. 



All the preparation usually needed for preserving minerals and 

 fossils consists in wrapping the specimens separately in pa])er, with 

 a label inside for the locality, and packing so as to prevent rubbing. 

 Crumbling fossils may be soaked to advantage in a solution of 

 glue. Melted wax also answers an admirable purpose in the case 

 of bones. 



Fossils of all kinds should be collected. Minerals and samples 

 of rocks are also desirable. The latter should be properly selected, 

 and cut to five by three inches of surface and one to two inches 

 thick. 



The vertebrate fossils of North America are of the highest in- 

 terest to naturalists. These are found in great abundance in the 

 regions known as " Mauvaises Terres," or "Bad Lands," and 

 occurring along the Missouri and its tributaries, White River, 

 Milk River, Platte, Eau qui Court, &c. The banks and beds of 

 these and other streams likewise contain rich treasures of fossil 

 bones. Similar remains are to be looked for in all caves, peat 

 bogs, alluvial soil, marl-pits, fissures in rocks, and other localities 

 throughout North America. Single teeth, when found, should be 

 carefully preserved. 



The floor of any cavern, if dug up .and carefully examined, will 

 generally be found to contain teeth, bones, &c. These, however 

 similar in appearance to recent or domesticated species, should be 

 carefully preserved. 



Specimens ought to be tightly packed up in boxes, taking care 

 that each one is wrapped up separately, in order that the angles or 

 any crystalline surfaces should not be destroyed by transportation ; 

 their value depending upon their good condition. The same pre- 

 cautions will be required for corals. The interstices between the 

 specimens, in the box or cask, may be occupied by sand, shavings, 

 hay, cotton, or other soft substance. Sawdust is considered ob- 

 jectionable on account of its settling too much. It is aljsolutely 

 essential that no cavity be left in the vessel or box. 



