BULLETIN 39, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



[6] 



In packing specimens for transportation, each individual is to be 

 wrapped first in tissue paper, then in raw cotton, and finally in news- 

 paper. This applies only to crystallized and delicate specimens. For 

 massive material newspaper alone is sufficient. With very delicate 

 material such as cuprite, natrolite, etc., the specimens are to be 



wrapped in tissue paper, 

 then in cotton, and fur- 

 ther protected by being 

 boxed separately. In 

 some cases it is advis- 

 able to set the specimen 

 in a suitable box and 

 pour plaster of paris 

 around its base, allow- 

 ing the latter to set, thus 

 insuring solidity. This, 

 however, is a matter 

 that must be left en- 

 tirely to the judgment 

 of the packer, since no 

 one method is applicable 

 to all cases. 



The material is best 

 packed in comparatively 

 small boxes. Large 

 boxes are too heavy for 

 proper handling. A 

 layer of excelsior, straw, 

 or other packing mate- 

 rial, about an inch deep, is put on the bottom ; then the heaviest and 

 most massive material is packed firmly and closely. Spaces between 

 the specimens should be filled with excelsior; then add another layer 

 of excelsior, a layer of specimens, and so on until the box is filled, and 

 finally a layer of excelsior is put on top and the cover fitted tightly. 

 The box must be absolutely full before fastening. Excelsior is the 

 best packing material, but straw, hay, grass, Spanish moss, or coarse 

 shavings will serve the purpose. Satvdust should never he used. Coarse, 

 massive material, collected in bulk to be broken up and trimmed later, 

 may be transported in boxes or barrels without wrapping or other 

 special precautions. 



Tig. 8. — Collecting bag or knapsack. 



