688 MANUAL OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



Being in a state of decay should not preclude an 

 attempt at least to bring away the parts, as by 

 various processes, such as those mentioned by the 

 late Dr. Mantell, in his "Medals of Creation/' re- 

 newed stability and firmness may be given to bones 

 which, when first discovered, will scarcely bear 

 being touched. Not merely should actual remains 

 of plants and animals be enquired for, but the marks 

 of footsteps, &c., of the latter, or impressions of the 

 former, should be sought after and carefully recorded, 

 and when practicable, casts should be taken of these 

 most interesting tokens. Thus, long before the dis- 

 covery of the actual remains of the Labyrinthodon, 

 its existence was inferred and demonstrated from an 

 examination of its footsteps indelibly impressed on 

 the New Red-Sandstone. 



All traces of man should be most carefully at- 

 tended to, as being of more than ordinary in- 

 terest. 



Mineralogical specimens should be wrapped, first 

 in fine paper, then in cotton or tow, and lastly in 

 stout paper. Mineral-waters should be preserved 

 in bottles completely filled, and carefully covered to 

 prevent the access of atmospheric air. Fossils should 

 be packed with some soft material, attention being 

 paid to keep together fragments of the same bone in 

 one spot. 



Geology is a science the study of which may 

 be commenced practically with but little previous 

 reading. Mineralogy and Palaeontology, again, re- 

 quire much patient consideration and enquiry, and for 



