CHAPTER III 

 TECHNIQUE 



(A) COLLECTING 

 (I) PURPOSE IN VIEW 



ALTHOUGH the imperfection of the palaeonto- 

 logical record is such that no fragment of fossil 

 . evidence should be lightly thrown aside, collection 

 of every specimen seen is usually impossible. Few as 

 the fossils are in comparison with the organisms they 

 represent, they are often exceedingly abundant. To 

 collect all accessible fossils in some deposits would 

 involve removal and storage of whole strata. It is 

 necessary, therefore, to pick and choose among the 

 lavish display of organic remains sometimes spread 

 before the collector. Unless his purpose is the idle 

 one of picking up " pretty " and striking fossils for use 

 as ornaments or curios (in which case his needs will not 

 be considered here), the average fossil-hunter will have 

 special interest in some aspect of Palaeontology, and 

 will direct his collecting towards the solution of par- 

 ticular problems. If his aim is stratigraphical, he will 

 secure specimens of types known to have reliable 

 " dating " qualities ; if it is palaeontological, he will 

 eagerly collect fossils of his chosen group, passing by 

 others that might appeal equally to a colleague. In 

 either case, it is good for collectors to " hunt in packs." 

 It is unlikely that an individual will see all the fossils 



