TECHNIQUE 59 



delay. Specimens " developed " to the utmost limit of 

 safety often permit removal of further particles of rock 

 when examined after months of storage. In any case 

 there should be no trace of haste in the preparation of 

 fossils. It is very tedious to spend hours in removal of 

 matter whose absence makes little apparent difference; 

 and, in view of the frailties of human nature, it is unsafe 

 to spend too long at one sitting on any specimen. 

 Sooner or later the " finicking " efforts with brush and 

 needle create an overwhelming desire to attempt more 

 heroic methods. Resistance to temptation is made hard 

 by the knowledge that a violent blow might produce 

 the desired result not only more quickly, but more 

 effectively, than piecemeal picking. Moreover, recollec- 

 tions of success following previous falls from grace 

 convert this possibility into probability at that stage of 

 exhaustion. But the author, with grievous reminiscence 

 of avoidable tragedies, recommends that whenever such 

 feelings arise the worker should put away, not the 

 temptation only, but the specimen. The surest cure for 

 all troubles, whether of mind or matrix, is a night's 

 sleep. For nerves and muscles thus refreshed, another 

 spell of labour will have lost much of its dreary 

 monotony. Knock out in haste, and repent at leisure, 

 is as true in this connexion as the more familiar form of 

 words in another; exceptions may occur in both cases. 



(II) SEPARATION OF FOSSILS FROM MATRIX 



Brief suggestions as to familiar and effective methods 

 for the cleaning of fossils follow, but there is no 

 intention to propound any fixed rules. Every specimen 

 presents its own problems ; while most experienced 

 workers devise and perfect means of preparation suited 

 to their own ingenuity and requirements. Fairly detailed 



