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COLLECTOR S MANUAL 



should be taken up in blocks, preferabfy encased in a jacket of 

 plaster of paris and burlap. 



In preparing a specimen for jacketing continue excavating down- 

 ward all around the fossil, but with as little exposure of the 

 bones as possible, until the whole stands on a pedestal of earth 



Fig. 47. — Fossil skull exposed by removal of surface cover. 



(fig. 48) with the sides overhanging and with rounded corners. 

 Next cover all exposed parts of the fossil with tissue or rice 

 paper painted smooth with gum arabic solution (fig. 49). This 

 will protect the bone surfaces from the plaster when the bandages 

 are applied. For bandages use loosely woven burlap, or gunny 

 sacking. Most old sacks are sewn with a chain stitch that will 

 ravel easily if properly started. Cut the pieces of sacking into 



