186 Dr. Fitton's Instructions, Sfc. 



the face flat, and square, or nearly so ; the edge placed in the 

 direction of the handle. The orifice for the insertion of the 

 handle oval, a very little wider on the outer side than within ; 

 its diameters, about 1 inch vertically, and 7-10ths across; the 

 centre somewhat more than 1 { inch from the face. The handle 

 should be of ash, or other tough wood ; not less than 16 inches 

 long; fitting tight into the head at its insertion, without a 

 shoulder; and increasing a little in size towards the end re- 

 mote from the head, to prevent its slipping. — It should be 

 fixed in the head by means of a thin, barbed iron wedge. 



For trimming specimens, smaller hammers may be em- 

 ployed: — The form of the head, recommended for this pur- 

 pose by Dr. MacCulloch*, is rectangular. The dimensions 



of the face may be 1 inch by f , 



the height 2£. 



It will be expedient to have always some hammers, (or at 

 least the heads,) of different sizes, in reserve. 



A small miner's pick is useful for cutting out, and splitting 

 portions of slaty rocks ; or for obtaining specimens of clays, &c. 



A small stone-cutter's chisel. — A chisel with a handle, of the 

 form here represented, will often save the hand of an inexpert 

 collector, and better enable him to direct his blow. 



For packing the specimens. — A stock of strong paper ; 

 sealing-wax ; writing-paper, cut into labels ; thick gum- water, 

 to cement the labels to the specimens. 



For the conveyance of specimens. — A large bag of leather, 

 with straps for the shoulders. Strong canvas bags, of smaller 

 size, are very convenient for subdivision and arrangement. — 

 For the protection of crystals, or delicate petrifactions, &c, 

 wool or cotton are necessary; and small wooden boxes (like 

 those used for holding wafers) are sometimes required. For 

 distant carriage, strong wooden boxes, casks, or baskets. 



The following are either essential, or useful in various de- 

 grees, for obtaining and recording observations. 



Pocket memorandum-books, of sufficient size to admit 



* " On the forms of Mineral ogical Hammers." Quarterly Journal, 

 (R. Inst.) vol. xi. 1821, p. 1, &c. 



sketches ; 



