FOSSIL-COLLECTING 105 
As to the fossil collection and its arrangement, I 
ought to have begun with the advice “ First get 
your fossils.” I warn you they are not got without 
determination, effort, patience, and common sense. 
When you find fossils they often prove a little dis- 
appointing ; you do not always get good specimens, 
and there is often great difficulty in getting to know 
exactly what they are. Your district may not yield 
many fossils, but it may happen that it has some 
which are not common elsewhere. In the formation 
of your home museum you should aim first and 
foremost at having specimens of local things— 
things which illustrate the Natural History of the 
district as it was in the past, and is in the present. 
The geology of your locality will most likely have 
reference to but one Period—say, the Cretaceous, 
and the strata may belong to but one horizon or 
formation of that period—say, the Wealden, which 
is so well shown in the Weald of Sussex. Your 
local collection will then be confined to the rocks 
and fossils of the Weald. You will have a special 
opportunity for studying the fossils of the Wealden 
deposits ; take care to know them thoroughly. 
The geological maps issued, by the Government 
Geological Survey Authorities will prove of great 
value to you in your researches. They may usually 
be consulted in Museums and Free Libraries. From 
them you can learn the geological features of your 
locality, and the Periods which your rocks represent. 
When you come to name your fossils you will have 
some difficulties to overcome. Don’t name any one 
of them until you are sure you are right. In this 
work you will have to consult books and local 
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