AND PRESERVING EOSSILS. 137 
known in commerce as “soluble glass.” Then, after adequate time 
for drying, proceed as above (No. 2). 
4. Bones which are only moderately' delicate can be transported 
best swathed in long strips of linen or calico (like the Egyptian 
mummies), and, after wrapping, this may be hardened by the copious 
application of ordinary flour paste ; or the strips may be clipped in 
flour paste before winding them round the bones. Melted paraffin 
wax is sometimes found useful to hold together fragile specimens.. 
5. In cases where the specimen, from either its size or condition, 
must be got out in pieces, or in the case of a skeleton in separate 
bones, each part of such bone, or of such more or less entire skeleton, 
should be carefully marked with a number corresponding to one on 
the adjoining part, and also with that on a rough sketch in the 
traveller’s note-book. Red or white paint (carried in a tube) can 
also be used to mark the connecting-points in a skeleton or in the 
parts of a single bone. 
Preparation of Fossils. 
1. All.friable fossils, such as shells in Teitiary or recent clays, 
need immediate attention. They may be slowly dried in the sun or 
in an oven, and hardened by treatment while still warm with a weak 
solution of gum-tragacanth. This is better than gum-arabic, because 
it does not leave a glossy surface. 
2. Fossil leaves in clay curl up on drying, and are frequently 
destroyed. These may also be preserved by the application of gum- 
tragacanth or a thin solution ol gelatine. 
3. Friable bones are best hardened by first warming, and then 
dipping for a few moments in a warm, weak solution of gelatine. 
4. Pyritized fossils cannot always be preserved. When decaying, 
allow them to soak for some time in water to dissolve the sulphate 
of iron; then dry carefully, and dip them while warm in melted 
paraffin wax. 
5. Ordinary gum, with a little glycerine or glue, may be used tor 
mending small specimens. Shellac is too brittle for most purposes. 
The best cement for large specimens is liquid glue, with a small 
admixture of plaster of "Paris. Dental cement is very useful, 
