COLLECTION OF MINERALS. S3 



you will find there the geology of the nearest station 

 given. Discuss in your meeting why it should be an 

 Orthis rather than a Rymchonella, and if still fairly 

 puzzled send it to a specialist for name. Then destroy 

 your provisional label, and put the same number on 

 your final one. Label nothing by guesswork. Take noth- 

 ing for granted, and don't send imperfect specimens, 

 or too many kinds at once, for names to those willing 

 to aid you. 



In collecting rocks we should be careful to get 

 clear, unweathered specimens, and, so far as practi- 

 cable, carefully trim them to a uniform shape and size. 

 For private or chapter collections, the specimens should 

 be about 2 1-3x3 or 3x4 inches square, and one-half inch 

 to one inch thick. The beginner will be surprised to 

 find how much this careful selection and trimming of 

 specimens adds to their appearance and value. 



Specimens that are worth collecting are worth a 

 little pains to keep them in good condition. Although 

 minerals are hard, yet they are very easily injured or 

 even ruined by rough handling, and especially by 

 knocking or rubbing against one another. When start- 

 ing on a collecting-trip, put a. number of old newspa- 

 pers in your bag, and then let each specimen be secure- 

 ly wrapped as soon as collected. Small wooden or 

 pasteboard boxes are almost indispensable for fragile 

 crystals and fossils. After each collecting-trip, your 

 specimens should be carefully labeled, either by num- 

 bers referring to a catalogue, or by cards containing 

 the name, locality, etc. The record of the locality is 

 particularly important, since many kinds, especially of 

 rocks, are rendered almost valueless by the loss of this 

 interesting fact. Geological specimens will not bear 

 huddling together; but their appearance is greatly en- 



