140 
Labelling and Cataloguing 
Labels should be of high (preferably 100%) rag-content paper which 
takes ink well. (The Dennison Paper Company, Drummond ville, Quebec, 
manufactures a suitable paper for labels: Resistall Index Bristol, 100% 
Rag, 110 lb. wt.) The writing should be in waterproof india ink or soft 
pencil. 
Each group of specimens of one species having identical collecting data 
should be kept separate from all other collections and should have a label 
giving at least locality (miles and direction from nearest settlement with a 
post office), date (e.g., 12 June 1964, always write out month in letters and give 
all four digits of the year), and collector (s) . Usually a collector will have his 
own series of catalogue numbers, which will also be placed on each label. 
These may run consecutively through his lifetime, or he may start a new r 
series each year prefixed by the last two digits of that year. The collectors 
initials should always prefix numbers in his series, e.g., FRC-1 or FRC-64-1. 
Specimens may each receive an individual catalogue number, or they may 
be catalogued by lot, giving the same number to all specimens of one species 
collected on the same day, in the same place, by the same collectors. If 
catalogued individually, each specimen should have an individual label giving 
full data and catalogue number. If catalogued by lot, each specimen should 
have a label with the catalogue number of the lot to which it belongs, and an 
individual sub-number within that lot which is circled (e.g., FRC-64-1 (T), 
FRC-64-1 (2) etc.). Individual labels should be tied to the specimen with 
strong thread. Specimens in the same lot should always be kept together in 
one container in which there is a label giving full data for the lot. Two lots 
should never be mixed in the same container. A catalogue book or separate 
pages in the field notebook should be kept giving each number and the 
essential data. Separate pages should list the measurements for each 
specimen and its full catalogue number and data. 
Additional data such as the scientific name of the species (if known), 
habitat, and other collection information and measurements may be recorded 
on the back of the label, if desired. 
Preservatives 
Herptiles are usually preserved whole in a liquid preservative. Although 
there are several suitable preservatives, formalin is the most satisfactory for 
initial preservation. Commercial formalin is a solution containing approxi- 
mately 37 per cent formaldehyde gas dissolved in water. Clear, rather than 
amber formalin should be used, and it is readily obtainable at most drugstores. 
It hardens the tissues of specimens and immediately prevents decay. For the 
purpose of preserving specimens, commercial formalin is considered as a 
100 per cent solution. A 10 per cent solution is best for preserving specimens 
(1 part formalin to 9 parts w ? ater). If particular care is taken with injecting 
and checking specimens, a weaker solution — 5 per cent — can be used as an 
initial preservative for snakes, lizards, and amphibians, and these may be 
changed after 24 hours into fresh 5 per cent for snakes and lizards, and 3 per 
cent for amphibians. Turtles must always be preserved in 10 per cent. The 
disadvantage with formalin is its strong, irritating odour. Some people 
develop a strong allergy to it. 
Although formalin is usually purchased as a liquid, a solid polymer of 
formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, is available. This has transportation 
