BULLETIN 39, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. [42] 



PICK AND SHOVEL. 



A pick, especially the kind known as a jirospector's pick, will often 

 prove of great value, when a mass of debris must be removed in order 

 to get at a particular plant-bearing bed. This form of pick has one 

 prong drawn out to a slender i3oint, while the other is truncated and 

 sharpened into a cutting edge. If a i>ick is to be carried from place to 

 place it should be light, and be supplied with a slender but strong handle 

 which can be removed from the head. 



A shovel will often be of great service in removing debris from exca- 

 vations, uncovering strata, etc., but usually it will not be found desir- 

 able to burden an expedition with this implement, unless a locality is to 

 be visited in which the plant-bearing beds can only be reached by ex- 

 cavating. It is at all times a convenient thing to have, but can be 

 dispensed with. 



IRON BAR. 



As in the case of the pick and shovel, an iron bar, such as that used 

 by quarrymen, will frequently be serviceable f but likewise it can be 

 readily dispensed with. 



CHISELS. 



Implements of this kind will not usually be found necessary, yet in 

 some cases they may be employed to advantage, as in removing speci- 

 mens that are exposed on the surface of very large blocks or on a slab 

 that can not be removed. A furrow can be made around the specimen 

 with a chisel, and it can then be split off. The chisels should be made 

 of well tempered steel and should be of various sizes. 



EXPLOSIVES. 



The use of explosives can only be undertaken under certain condi 

 tions, and then with caution ; but when a large mass of rock is to be 

 removed or brought down they may be employed successfully. The 

 kind to be used and the methods of handling them must be determined 

 for each particular case. 



COLLECTING BAG. 



The collecting bag is a very valuable adjunct in collecting, and can 

 not well be dispensed with. It should be made of thick, stout leather, 

 and should be 12 inches wide, 4 inches thick, and 12 inches deep, and 

 should have one side extend as a " flap " over the top and fully G inches 

 down the opposite side. The "flap" should have a strap and strong 

 buckle to hold it down to the side of the bag. It should also be pro- 

 vided with a strong leather strap 2 inches wide, for carrying the bag 

 over the shoulder. All parts of the bag, but particuarly the shoulder 

 strap, should be securely riveted in place, so that it may be subjected 

 to rough usage without readily being injured. 



If the expedition is to make use of saddle animals, at least two of 

 these collecting bags will be found desirable. 



