444 Collecting Geological Specimens. 
11 a 
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8. Note the names of all places known to contain coal, bitumen, salt, 
alabaster, metallic ores, or any valuable minerals, specifying their extent, 
and the nature of the rocks in which they occur; but do not bring away 
large quantities of iron ore, spar, salt, &c. 
9. In cases of coal-pits, specimens of the coal itself and of the beds 
passed through to obtain it (especially when plants have been found) will 
be valuable. State whether limestone, iron ore, or springs of bitumen are 
found near the coal ; and if the limestone contains shells, collect abundance 
of them. 
10. Make particular enquiries whether, in digging gravel-pits, or beds of 
surface clay, mud, and sand, the workmen are in the habit of finding any 
bones of quadrupeds; and obtain as many of them as possible, selecting 
particularly teeth and vertebre. 
11. Search also for bones in cracks of rocks, and in caverns. In the 
latter, the lowest pits or hollows are most likely to contain bones; and if 
the solid rock be covered with a crust of spar or marl, break through it, 
and dig out any bones, horns, or pebbles from beneath. (jig. 112.) 
12. Observe if the surface 
of the country be strewed 
over with large blocks of 
stone; remark whether these 
blocks are angular or rounded, 
and whether they are of the 
same or a different nature 
from the stratum on which 
they are laid. If the latter, 
endeavour to trace them to 
their native bed. Note the 
different heights at which 
gravel is found, and whether 
or not it is composed of the 
same rocks as the adjoining 
country. 
13. Nautical collectors are requested to separate and preserve any shells 
or corals which may be brought up, either with the lead or the anchor ; 
noting the depth and the locality. 
14. On coasts where there is a considerable ebb tide, and where the 
shore consists of rocks or clay containing fossils, some of the best of these 
petrifactions may be looked for, by breaking up with a pick-axe the shelving 
‘beds exposed at low water. 
15. In making sections, or memorandums, distinguish well upon the 
coast, between masses which have simply slipped and fallen away, and the 
real cliff itself. 
16. When drift wood is met with at sea, collect pieces of it: note the 
longitude and latitude, the distance from the nearest land, and the direction 
of the current by which it has been borne. Examine well the state of the 
floating mass, and see whether any roots or leaves be attached to it. 
17. Every specimen should be labelled on the spot, or as soon after 
