BULLETIN 39, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. [18] 



the skeleton iu a general way, soak the exposed bones well with gum 

 water, cover comi^letely with one layer of thin oiled paper, lay across 

 the entire length of the specimen two or more iron rods or sticks of 

 wood, and then prepare enough thick plaster of paris to make a solid 

 mass several inches thick over the top of the specimen. After the 

 plaster has set, the undermining can begin, but leave enough rock to 

 give stability to the block. If the skeleton lies in mud and is not 

 large, it will be well to pour plaster around the entire mass. Wlierever 

 plaster is used for bedding or stability do not forget to first lay iron 

 rods or sticks of wood lengthwise on the specimen before pouring and 

 smearing the plaster. The plaster when dry is brittle, and these rods 

 are inserted to keep all the pieces in place in case of breakage. 



The limbs of large skeletons should also, if possible, be kept together. 

 Never separate the toe bones when found in their natural position. If 

 in a soft matrix, pour plaster around each foot as described above for 

 small skeletons. 



To dig out skeletons embedded in a more or less solid matrix is a 

 matter of skillful quarrying. Do not separate the bones of skeletons 

 more than is necessary even though the blocks may weigh a few tons. 

 Mr. J. B. Hatcher succeeded in quarrying out in Wyoming, for the 

 United States Geological Survey, a mass of rock weighing about three 

 tons and containing an enormous skull of Triceratops nearly eight feet 

 in length. Moreover, it was necessary to haul the specimen forty miles 

 over rough trails to the railroad. 



Hard bones, even when badly shattered, should never be rejected nor 

 shoveled into a box, as is sometimes done. These can be taken up suc- 

 cessfully by a method long in use by Professor Marsh and Mr. J. B. 

 Hatcher, After the bones have been exposed, fill all the large cavities 

 with thin fluid plaster of paris. Next stick short pieces of gunny cloth 

 with thick flour paste over the loose pieces. Lengthwise along the 

 bone lay strips of gunny cloth 2 to 4 inches wide, each slightly over- 

 lapping the other, fastening them with flour x>aste. When dry, under- 

 mine the bone and turn it over, pasting also on this side a longitudinal 

 layer of gunny cloth, followed by another wound around the specimen 

 from one end to the other. Use plenty of flour paste, since when dry 

 this gives great stiflhess to the gunny cloth and therefore supports the 

 bone. In the laboratory, this protection is readily taken off by mois- 

 tening with a sponge as the work of hardening and solidifying the 

 bone progresses. 



PACKING FOR SHIPMENT. 



When specimens are very large the boxes should be made of two 

 courses of lumber nailed to each other crosswise. Apply as many stays 

 inside as are necessary to hold the block firmly in place, for if it should 

 move about not only the box may be broken, but the specimen will in 

 all probability be damaged beyond repair. 



Never pack large and small bones in the same box, since the weight 

 of the larger will crush the smaller. 



