FOSSIL VERTEBRATES 95 



preventing the contents from falling out when the block is being 

 turned over. 



In the absence of plaster of paris, ordinary flour paste may be 

 used for bandaging. It sets well in warm weather but cannot be 

 used on wet specimens or in rainy weather. Specimens prepared 

 with paste bandages are also subject to mold and to the attack 

 of rats and mice. It is therefore necessary to keep the blocks 

 dry and to use packing boxes free from knotholes. On account 

 of the easy removal of paste bandages in the laboratory their use 

 is especially recommended in the collection of many delicate 

 fossils. Paste bandages can sometimes be used to advantage in 

 collecting wide, thin bones by applying the strips directly to the 

 surface of the bone. When dry, and after loosening around the 

 edges, the specimen may be picked up without further ado. After 

 removal apply bandages to the lower side. 



Small, well-preserved specimens, after the surface has been 

 hardened may be readily collected by the application of successive 

 layers of tissue paper and gum arabic solution. When dry, turn 

 the specimen over and continue the process over the lower side. 

 When this method is used it is well to wrap the specimen in 

 strong paper. 



Fragments of a specimen, including float, should be wrapped in 

 old newspapers or, if delicate, in cotton or tissue paper. When 

 the pieces are small, several can be wrapped together, taking 

 care to separate them so that their surfaces cannot rub. Add 

 others as the package is rolled up. Where there are many of 

 these packages it is often advantageous to tie them loosely 

 together in bundles. These can be packed readily, and the 

 connecting strings clearly indicate their relationship. 



