Chapter XXIII: Appendix: I

LIST OF REQUIREMENTS FOR A COLLECTING EXPEDITION

In order to obtain the best possible results from an expedition, it is well to go fossil hunting in a party of two, four, or six persons. Large parties tend to split up into detachments, or to waste time in trying to keep together.

Each individual should have strong suitable clothes, with as many pockets arranged in them as possible. The weight of the stones can thus be distributed over the body, and is not felt so much as if they were all carried in a knapsack. Each collector should also provide himself with—

A satchel or knapsack, preferably of leather or strong canvas, but not
of large size, for when the space is limited selection of the specimens
is likely to be made carefully.

One or two hammers. If only one is carried, it should be of a fair size
with a square head and strong straight edge.

One chisel, entirely of metal, and with a strong straight cutting edge.

Soft paper to wrap up the more delicate fossils, in order to prevent
them from scraping each other’s surfaces; and one or two small
cardboard boxes for very fragile specimens.

A map of the district (preferably geologically coloured). Localities
should be noted in pencil on this, indicating the exact spot of finds.
For general work the one-inch survey map suffices, but for detailed
work it is necessary to have the six-inch maps of important districts.

A small notebook. Few notes are needed, but those few _must_ be taken
on the spot to be reliable.

A pencil or fountain pen, preferably both.

A penknife, which, among other things, will be found useful for working
out very delicate fossils.