BULLETIN 39, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. [44] 

 NOTE BOOK. 



The collector slioulcl always be provided with a note book of some 

 form, in which are to be recorded the facts and observations, usually 

 too voluminous to be readily accommodated on the labels. The memory 

 unaided can not be trusted to retain with accuracy the whole history 

 of the specimens. 



II. — Wrapping and Packing Specimens for Shipment. 



If the specimens as they are brought in from the field still retain 

 their wrapping- in good condition, it may not be necessary to re wrap 

 them, but in most cases, and especially if the journey by rail is to be 

 long, they had best be rewrapped. It takes but a moment to do this, 

 but by this precaution many valuable and fragile specimens may be 

 transported in safety for very long distances. 



The size of the packing box will depend entirely upon the character 

 of the specimens. If they are large and preserved in a firm matrix, 

 the packing box may safely be of good size ; but if the specimens are 

 fragile, such as thin shale, clay, etc., the box must be small, and they 

 must be amply wrapped. In either case the specimens must be packed 

 firmly in the box and the box completely filled before closing. Spaces 

 between the specimens, if such occur after all have been put in that the 

 box will comfortably contain, should be filled with paper or some bulky 

 material, such as fine hay, shavings, etc. Do not, however, use hay, 

 straw, excelsior, sawdust, etc., as a substitute for the wrapping paper, 

 for the specimens will almost certainly be ruined. 



III. — Collecting Fossil Plants. 



It is difficult to give explicit directions for collecting fossil plants, for 

 the conditions under which they occur are so various that what will 

 apply to one locality will be of little value for the next. It must simply 

 be borne in mind that the principal object is to get the specimens in as 

 nearly perfect condition as possible, and, further, to get a complete rep- 

 resentation of the flora of each deposit. It is not to be understood that 

 only the absolutely perfect specimens should be saved, for as a matter 

 of fact very few specimens are ever obtained that are perfect in all parts. 

 The character of the matrix and state of preservation of the plant- 

 remains must also be taken into account. A shale, for example, that 

 splits readily is better fitted to preserve plants than a coarse sandstone, 

 and a specimen that would be poor for the former would be good for 

 the latter. Again, the geological horizon- from which they come may 

 make them of the highest interest. A few seemingly worthless frag- 

 ments from a horizon that rarely bears plant-remains may often be of 

 greater interest than a fine collection from a well-known locality or 

 horizon. Therefore no one should be discouraged because the remains 



