72 collector's manual 



Note. — In packing dried echinoderms it is important to avoid 

 any contact with cotton or other finely fibrous material, which 

 will become hopelessly entangled in the fine serrations and other 

 processes on their spines. They should be protected from the 

 packing material by newspaper or some similar material. 



Use alcohol to preserve all echinoderms, as formalin destroys 

 their delicate skeletal structures. 



CORALS 



Along the shores and in shallow waters of tropical islands many 

 beautiful corals may be found. These are desirable as museum 

 specimens. 



If material thrown up on the beaches is collected, care should 

 be taken to select specimens that have not been worn by being 

 rolled about by the waves. Living corals form the best specimens. 

 When removed from the water the flesh disintegrates and pro- 

 duces an offensive odor. Before shipping they should be sun dried. 



The main difficult}" in coral collecting lies in packing the 

 delicate specimens for shipment. They require individual wrap- 

 ping and secure packing to keep them from rubbing each other 

 and breaking in transit, and must be shipped in strong containers. 

 For each lot note on the label the place and date of collection 

 and the name of the collector. 



PLANTS 



The preparation of plant specimens for botanical study is a 

 simple matter and does not require previous experience. The 

 most important points are: To make complete specimens, to dry 



