TECHNIQUE 51 



that are exposed on a quarry-face ; second examination 

 almost always reveals specimens previously overlooked, 

 especially if the search is made by another collector. 

 Further, it may often happen that fossils discarded by 

 the one are desiderata for the other. 



Whatever may be the immediate object of search, a 

 collector should always bear in mind the following 

 principles. First, if the deposit is but sparsely fossili- 

 ferous, collection of all its organic contents, whole or 

 fragmentary, is important. Secondly, perfect fossils, 

 whether of the kind specially sought after or not, must 

 never be left behind, unless their removal is a physical 

 impossibility. It is mistaken and useless charity to 

 leave good specimens to cheer the next comer. Long 

 before he arrives they will probably have been ruined by 

 weathering or buried in talus. Unlike rare plants or 

 insects, fossils do not propagate their kind. Rather 

 take them while they may be gathered, and find them 

 an appropriate owner afterwards, keeping them safe the 

 while. Thirdly, a fragment showing morphological 

 i structure is often worth twenty whole specimens in 

 j which details are obscure. Fourthly, a fossil that 

 ; cannot be identified in the field should always be 

 brought away. After preparation and careful study it 

 , may prove to be a worthless fragment of a common 

 type (when its subsequent treatment is clear) ; but it is 

 quite as likely to be something new, to the collector if 

 not to Science. Lastly, if the purpose of collecting is 

 stratigraphical, at least one example of each species 

 recorded should be preserved. Faunal lists ought never 

 to be made (especially for publication) without actual 

 specimens retained for reference. Attempts at specific 

 determination at the time of collecting are attended 

 with too many difficulties to yield reliable results, 

 while the most careful and experienced student may 



