23 
strata through which it has passed, and number and label 
them regularly. If the vein should be generally more pro¬ 
ductive in one stratum or set of strata than another, note the 
fact, eollect all statistical and historical matter that can be had 
in relation to the mine and neighboring country. If there 
should exist in the same region any igneous rocks, as they are 
called, that is granite, porphyry, trap, basalt, or lava, ascertain 
if possible their extent and appearance, and obtain specimens, 
[n coal regions, ascertain the extent, if possible, of the basin; 
that is the various places at which what appears to be the same 
bed of coal presents itself or is worked. Note the thickness of 
the bed, or beds, if there be several, collect specimens of each. 
Examine carefully for fossils. In the shale or slaty matter con¬ 
nected with the coal, vegetable impressions are often very 
abundant. Fail not to avail yourself of them. Where wells 
or borings are made to any considerable depth, ascertain the 
various strata passed through and collect any fossils that 
may thus be thrown out. If salt or other water has been 
sought for, ascertain the depth at which it was reached. 
Where rolled masses of rock present themselves on or near 
the surface, ascertain whether they are similar to the rocks in 
bed in the same vicinity ; if not, collect specimens of them. 
If in excavating canals, railroads, sand-pits or marshes, fos¬ 
sils of any kind should be found, endeavor to obtain and pre¬ 
serve them. Instances are constantly occurring of the dis¬ 
covery of inastodon and other fossil bones in various parts of 
our country; if opportunities present for collecting them, the 
collector should avail himself of them. These bones are some¬ 
times in such a condition that, on exposure to the air, they fall 
to pieces: in that case, the collector must prepare himself with 
some coarse varnish, or size made of common glue, and as soon 
as they are dry enough to admit of it, give them a coating of 
this varnish or size. 
In Europe valuable deposites of fossil bones have been 
found in caves and crevices of rocks, by digging into the soil or 
loose earth commonly found in them. This has not been the 
case as yet to any considerable extent in this country ; but it 
is a subject worthy the notice of the collector. 
