SUGGESTIONS AS TO COLLECTING AND 
PRESERVING FOSSILS. 
Field Observations and Labelling. 
1. The scientific value of a fossil depends largely on the accuracy 
with which the circumstances of its discovery are recorded. When- 
ever possible, a note should be made, not only of the precise locality, 
but also of the exact position in the exposed section whence the 
specimen was obtained. 
2. When more than one fossilif erous band is observed in a 
section, the fossils from each stratum ought to be kept apart, and 
their exact sequence noted. Measurements of the thickness of the 
several beds are of great value. 
A sketch or diagram of the section should be made, the beds 
numbered, and a corresponding number (with date) should be 
added to the label of locality attached to each specimen. 
3. Be careful to distinguish between fossils from the regularly 
bedded stratified rocks of a section, and others which may occur 
in infilled fissures across those rocks. Instances are known in 
which the contents of fissures filled in at a comparatively recent 
geological period are nearly as hard as the surrounding rock. Such 
filled-up chasms are especially to be looked for in limestones, and 
can be readily distinguished by the irregular and chaotic arrange- 
ment of their fragmental contents. 
4. It is desirable to leave the fossil adhering to a fragment of 
matrix when the rock is sufficiently hard, or at least to preserve 
the impression left by it on the matrix. In sandstones the counter- 
part is often quite as valuable as the fossil itself, and shows 
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