for collecting Geological Specimens. 



185 



mediately, on the spot where they are found*. — This injunc- 

 tion may appear to be superfluous ; but so much valuable in- 

 formation has been lost to geology from the neglect of it, that 

 every observer of experience will acknowledge its necessity ; 

 and it is, perhaps, in practice one of the most difficult to ad- 

 here to. 



11. A sketch of a coast or cliff, however slight, frequently 

 conveys more information respecting the disposition and re- 

 lations of rocks, than a long memorandum. If numbers, de- 

 noting the situation of the specimens collected, be marked 

 upon such sketches, much time may be saved at the moment 

 of collecting. But in all such cases, the memorandum should 

 be looked over soon afterwards, and labels distinctly explaining 

 their situation, &c, be attached to the specimens themselves. 



12. The specimens should be so packed, that the surfaces 

 may be defended from exposure to air, moisture, and friction ; 

 for which purpose, if strong paper cannot be obtained, dry 

 moss, or straw, or leaves, may be employed. Where paper 

 is used for wrapping the specimens, they are best secured by 

 fastening the envelope with sealing-wax. 



Lastly, The collector must not be discouraged, nor be pre- 

 vented from collecting, by finding that the place which he may 

 chance to visit in a remote situation, has not a striking ap- 

 pearance, or the rocks within his view a very interesting cha- 

 racter ; since it frequently, and even commonly, happens, that 

 facts and specimens, in themselves of very little importance, 

 become valuable by subsequent comparison ; so that scarcely 

 any observation, if recorded with accuracy, will be thrown 

 away. ■ 



The Instruments required by the geological traveller will 

 vary, according to the acquirements and specific objects of 

 the individual. The most essential are :- — 



The hammer ; which, for general purposes, may be of the 

 form here represented : — 





A 







■ 1 



1 



£Eg 



J 







The head should be of steel well tempered, about 4 inches 

 from the face to the edge, and 1^ inch square in the middle ; 



* It is useful to mark on the labels the day, and even the hour, when 

 each specimen is collected. This, with a corresponding note in tiie me- 

 morandum-book, will be found to assist the memory, and prevent con- 

 fusion. 



Vol. 68. No. 341. Sept. 1826. 2 A the 



