168 
FOURTEENTH REPORT. 
The matter of labels is usually given the least attention when it should 
have the most (see p. 177). The writer believes that a metal label is by 
far the best for the field. Every expedition sent out from the University 
of Michigan Museum is supplied with a series of small pure tin tags, 
stamped with consecutive numbers from 1 up, provided with strings, 
and arranged in order on wire loops, each holding 100 labels. 
Metal tags are not always easily obtained by private collectors, and in 
this case small paper tags will serve the purpose. These should be 
about an inch square, of stiff white paper, provided with strings, 
and should bear a serial number written with a medium soft pencil (e. 
g. Kohinoor IT. B.) or India ink. 
The notebook is as important as the labels. When only a small 
amount of collecting is to be done one book will suffice. A convenient 
arrangement is to use the front part of the book as a field catalog, fur- 
nishing it with serial numbers corresponding to the labels and with 
enough space between the numbers for full notes, and to reserve the 
back part for general notes on habitats, etc. When extensive collecting 
is to be done it is well to have two notebooks, one to leave at home 
and one to carry into the field, the former having the numbers and 
to be used as a catalog, the latter to be used as a daily journal of ob- 
servations. A leather bound book such as is used by surveyors is pre- 
ferable, as it is less easily damaged by water. A convenient ruling for 
the field catalog is shown in Fig 2. 
A code of colors may be dispensed with if little time is to be de- 
voted to the work, but persons desirous of getting the most valuable 
results should have one. The writer has found the “Code des Ooleurs,” 
by Klincksieek and Valette,* a very good color key, with the addi- 
tional advantages of simplicity and reasonable price. 
Hypodermic syringes are not strictly necessary, as the specimens may 
be opened with a sharp knife or scissors, but the specimens look so 
much better if injected that a syringe will well repay the cost. Only 
the all metal syringes (Fig. 3c) should be purchased. The most prac- 
tical size is the hypodermic syringe of 12 cc. capacity, and this should 
be provided with some small needles and one or two large ones, (those 
used for spinal injections). If many large specimens are to be pre- 
pared. a universal syringe of 4 ounce capacity will be found very satis- 
factory. This should be provided with some long hypodermic needles 
(100 mm. long), and the writer has found that a long canula (160 mm. 
long) with the end filed off diagonally to form a sharp point makes an 
excellent needle for the injection of large, tough-skinned specimens. 
A pair of rubber gloves should be added to the outfit if one expects to 
preserve a considerable number of specimens, as the formalin solu- 
tion is hard on the hands. 
The scalpel and scissors are for skinning or opening specimens, the 
bone saw to remove the shells of turtles (Figs. 3a, b, d). 
If nothing else is to be had, ordinary commercial formalin will do 
for the preservation of specimens, but the results are so far superior 
when Sheri ng’s formalin is used that a special effort ought to be made 
to have it. The stock is to be considered 100% when diluting (with 
water) to the strength used as preserving fluid. 
♦This book may be purchased from Paul Klincksieek, 3, rue Corneille, Paris. 
