SUGGESTIONS AS TO COLLECTING AND 

 PRESEEVING EOSSILS. 



Field Observations and Labelling. 



1. The scientific value of a fossil depends largely on the accuracy 

 with which the circumstances of its discovery are recorded. When- 

 ever possible, a note should be made, not only of the precise locality, 

 but also of the exact position in the exposed section whence the 

 specimen was obtained. 



2. When more than one fossiliferous band is observed in a 

 section, the fossils from each stratum ought to be kept apart, and 

 their exact sequence noted. Measurements of the thickness of the 

 several beds are of great value. 



A sketch or diagram of the section shoidd be made, the beds 

 numbered, and a corresponding number (with date) should be 

 added to the label of locality attached to each specimen. 



3. Be careful to distinguish between fossils from the regularly 

 bedded stratified rocks of a section, and others which may occur 

 in infilled fissures across those rocks. Instances are known in 

 which the contents of fissures filled in at a comparatively recent 

 geological period are nearly as hard as the surrounding rock. Such 

 fiUed-up chasms are especially to be looked for in limestones, and 

 can be readily distinguished by the irregular and chaotic arrange- 

 ment of their fragmental contents. 



4. It is desirable to leave the fossil adhering to a fragment of 

 matrix when the rock is sufiiciently hard, or at least to preserve 

 the impression left by it on the matrix. In sandstones the counter- 

 part is often quite as valuable as the fossil itself, and shows 



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