AND PRESERVINa FOSSILS. 137 



known in commerce as "soluble glass." Then, after adequate time 

 for drying, proceed as above (No. 2). 



4. Bones which are only moderately delicate can be transported 

 best swathed in long strips of linen or calico (like the Egyptian 

 mummies), and, after wrapping, this may be hardened by the copious 

 application of ordinary flour paste ; or the strips may be dipped in 

 flour paste before winding them round the bones. Melted paraflfin 

 wax is sometimes found useful to hold together fragile s^Decimens. 



5. In cases where the specimen, from either its size or condition, 

 must be got out in pieces, or in the case of a skeleton in separate 

 bones, each jxirt of such bone, or of such more or less entire skeleton, 

 should be carefully marked with a number corresponding to one on 

 the adjoining part, and also with that on a rough sketch in the 

 traveller's note-book. Eed or white paint (carried in a tube) can 

 also be used to mark the connecting-points in a skeleton or in the 

 parts of a single bone. 



Preparation of Fossils. 



1. All friable fossils, such as shells in Teitiary or recent clays, 

 need immediate attention. They may be slow-ly dried in the sun or 

 in an oven, and hardened by treatment while still warm with a weak 

 solution of gum-tragacanth. This is better than gum-arabic, because 

 it does not leave a glossy surface. 



2. Fossil leaves in clay curl up on drying, and are frequently 

 destroyed. These may also be preserved by the a^Dplication of gum- 

 tragacanth or a thin solution of gelatine. 



3. Friable bones are best hardened by first warming, and then 

 dipping for a few moments in a warm, weak solution of gelatine. 



4. Pyritized fossils cannot ahvays be preserved. When decaying, 

 allow them to soak for some time in water to dissolve the sulphate 

 of iron ; then dry carefully, and dijD them while warm in melted 

 paraflin wax. 



5. Ordinary gum, with a little glycerine or glue, may be used for 

 mending small specimens. Shellac is too brittle for most purposes. 

 The best cement for large specimens is liquid glue, with a small 

 admixture of plaster of Paris. Dental cement is very useful, 



