Dear Conch-lers,
I lately comment upon the numbering discussion: I do not like to place a
number directly on specimens, I think to ruin the shells in this way.
However, I put every lot of shells (same species from same place) in a
zip-lock bag or in a transparent closed box with a label in it containing
detailed locality data and, if available, the lot number to retrieve
information on my Access database.  In this way it is very difficult that
specimens loose their data.
I include complete collecting data and not just a lot number or a reference
to my database because despite the great use of computers I do I do not
trust them too much.  I have both back-ups and (huge) printed versions, but
there is nothing better that all the data with the specimens.  To this aim
I use to print out labels with character 4 or 5 points.
I hope to never have to experience losing data associated with shells!
I apply the same method of including data labels to everything enters my
room, also lots of unsorted just collected shells or shellgrit samples.
This to be sure not to loose the correct information on collected material,
which would drop its value to zero.
Paolo

Paolo Giulio ALBANO
Bologna, ITALY
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Homepage: http://members.xoom.virgilio.it/pgalbano/index.htm