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dust and injury and with them a [[^small]] label bearing the registration number, which also appears upon [[^ordinary]] the label, or if the shell is large enough and has a proper surface, is indelibly written on the specimen itself. Fossils generally require to be treated with a solution of shellac before they will bear marking, but the old and objectionable method of mounting specimens on tablets has been for the study collection of the U. S. National Museum definitely abandoned. It will be noted therefore that each specimen or lot of specimens which are entered under one registration number (and always comprise but one species or variety from one locality) under goes seven or eight different bits of treatment and requires before it is put aside, a tray, a label, a number, a corked vial (or a number written on) and a line in the registration book. In the ideal condition of the collection to be attained hereafter, each lot will also have its place on a card which will form one of a series or card catalogue, embracing all the specimens which are or have at any time been in the Museum and recording the data relating to them. This however, in the present state of the force, can only be anticipated, at least for departments including such a vast quantity of material as is embraced under the general head of Mollusks. 

Besides the routine work on the recent and fossil shells which appear in the form of