594 The American Naturalist. [June, 
The preservative which has proved best in my hands (and I speak 
from a large experience with almost all known material) is the ordinary 
shellac dissolved in commercial alcohol. The first coat or two I use 
tolerably thin so that the porous bone may take it up. It may be found 
necessary to use several coats before the specimen can be handled, and 
it is always best to finish off with a thick solution. The judgement and. 
experience of the collector must be his guide in this matter, as it is 
impossible to lay down any definite rule. . 
Notwithstanding many coats of shellac the articular extremities of 
the long bones may be still friable, while their shafts are moderately 
strong. This I have been able to remedy by plunging them (the 
articular ends) into hot wax. The wax should not be too hot nor 
should they be left in too long. A minute or two is enough for their 
complete saturation. It may also be necessary to give the bodies of 
the vertebræ and the weaker parts of the innominate bones to a similar 
treatment. 
The foregoing description applies to skeletons buried in dry earth. 
Where it is damp or wet no attempt should be made at removal until 
the earth is dry. All but two or three inches of the super-imposed 
earth can be removed, and left for a few days’ sunshine to put it in 
proper condition. Loose teeth or fragments of bone should be care- 
fully gathered up, wrapped in Separate packages and placed with the 
skeleton. Every bone should be preserved and nothing thrown away. 
separate box. If the skull is unusually liable to breakage it is a good 
plan to provide a separate box for it also, but it should bear the same 
number as the skeleton to which it belongs. It will be found that 
the best material for packing is either soft paper, chaff, or very soft. 
straw or hay, and after each layer sift the interstices fud/ of sawdust 
or bran. This, if well done, will prevent all movement or shaking of 
the specimens. Breakage of this kind is fatal, and generally results in 
permanent injury to the specimen, 
What has been said as to the preservation of human remains applies 
wit hammer or chisel, requiring the appliances and skill of a well-ap- 
pointed laboratory. In all cases of this kind it js best to take the 
specimen out in a block of the matrix if possible, and pack as before 
directed, and ship it in this condition.—J. L. WORTMAN. 

