444 



Collecting Geological Specimens, 



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" : has fA'^in srf 1 jffJ»"^ r r » 



'"'- - fit lib :-Bc<<**«»"/A Shells. 



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 diem as possible, selecting 

 particularly teeth and vertebras. 



iwfl)l. -Search also for bones in cracks of rocks, and in caverns. In the 

 larftfer, 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, 

 jjttd dig out atiy bones, horns, or pebbles from beneath, {fig. 112.) 





i 





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 thei 

 shore consists of rocks or clay containing fossils, some of the best of these 

 petrifactions maybe looked for, by breaking up with a: pick-axe the shelviila 

 beds exposed at low water. . . '. ' 



15. In making sections, or memorandums, distinguish well upon the 

 lioast, between masses which have simply slipped and fallen away, and the 

 real cliff itself. 



16. When drift \^6dd is met with at s^a, collect pieces of it: note thei 

 longitude and latitude, the distance from the nearest land, and the directioVi 

 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 



