416 DIRECTIONS FOR COLLECTING 
shut, taking care to preserve perfect every part of the shell, 4 
not forgetting even the epidermal fringe. Specimens that 4 
have had the soft parts removed by cutting, are usually more _ 
brilliant than if boiled, or if the soft parts are simply mace- 
rated or dried. 
Rare specimens of Unionide are sometimes found where — 
the musk-rat has accumulated shells. It is sometimes an 
object with the collector to preserve shells found only under 
such circumstances. Such specimens when carefully washed q 
will often be found to have a dull chalky appearance that is — 
not indicative of the true character of the species. The brik 
liancy of the shell may be measurably restored by dipping it 
a few seconds in a bath of dilute muriatic or nitric acid, then — 
rinsing with clear water and wiping dry. | ? 
Since naturalists have come to regard a collection accord- , 
ing to the perfection of the specimens it includes, the habits q 
that collectors were accustomed to indulge, in their attempt 4 
to beautify specimens, have pretty much gone out of use. It 
is no longer considered necessary to remove the epidermis 
of shells in order to develop unrevealed beauties, except d 
perhaps in specimens intended to adorn a mere collection of 
curiosities. Even varnish, wbich once was so liberally ap- 
plied to shells to impart a fictitious gloss, is now no longer 4 
used by those who aim to serve the purposes of science. Ye d 
there are some circumstances under which a somewhat dole 4 
tive specimen may have its natural appearance partly us 4 
stored, even when apparently of little value. After cleaning 
the shell carefully with a brush, moisten the W 
with a dilute solution of gum arabic, wiping off the sul sag a 
The gum when dry takes the place of the albuminoid tissues 
that have been dissolved out of the surfaces of the S j a 
measurably restoring its natural appearance. e a 
Young collectors are often annoyed, after they have al 
much pains to prepare fine specimens of Anodonta and i 4 
thin-shelled Uniones, to find that their specimens crack W ee 4 
dry, sometimes falling in pieces. This difficulty MY 7 
hole surface 

