486 Annals of the Carnegie Museum. 



The labels should indicate not only the localities, but also some notes 

 on the nature of the habitat, just as in the collection. Labels saying 

 "Buffalo, N. Y.," or "Snark County, Kansas," are sadly inadequate. 

 It is also a great help if the labels or numbers are placed conspicuously. 

 If the labels cannot be placed with the specimens, number-slips are 

 put in, corresponding with the numbers on a list sent along. Speci- 

 mens packed in a vial or box, not filling it, should be protected from 

 jarring by adding a loose wad of cotton; but care should be taken 

 in the case of Musculia not to stuff the cotton in so tightly as to crush 

 the specimens. Shells not perfectly dry should never come in contact 

 with cotton. The fibers stick to them and are difficult to remove. 

 When necessary to fill out or pad a vial a small piece of sponge is 

 serviceable. 



Whole washings, "dirt and all," may be sent and will be welcome, 

 either dried or fresh, if the weather is not too hot, or the distance not 

 too great. But materials not thoroughly dry should not be in tight 

 containers, such as tin boxes or cans. Drift and siftings will also be 

 gladly received. The specimens will be separated, named, and 

 returned. Where they are in sufficient numbers some specimens will 

 be kept for records and for further study and comparison. 

 New Philadelphia, Ohio, 

 May I, 1916. 



