Dear Conchlers,

Here are some "Remarks on Labeling Fossils" from a guidebook that David
Kopaska-Merkel and I put together for teachers in Alabama. Obviously, they
could also apply to modern shells with a few modifications, such as
including the water depth.

++++++++++

When writing on fossil labels, use stable ink or pencil. India ink and most
ballpoint blue inks are relatively stable; most ballpoint black inks spread
and redden after a few years.

Name of institution: e.g., "Geological Survey of Alabama," "Selma High
School," "Collection of Mary Billings."

Name: Genus, species, e.g., Exogyra costata    OR general name such as
"bryozoan"

Formation: e.g., Prairie Bluff Chalk, Ripley Formation. Common
abbreviations: Formation = Fm., Member = Mbr., Sandstone = Ss., Limestone =
Ls., Shale = Sh.

Location: This is the single most important item to record. Abbreviate if
necessary, or continue on the back of the label. In the long run, it's
better to use descriptions rather than numbered localities, e.g., "Truck
stop northeast of junction of I-20/59 and AL 28, Livingston, Sumter Co.,
AL," "AL 17 4 mi. N of courthouse, Butler, Choctaw Co., AL," "Alabama River
at US 84 bridge, Monroe Co., AL," "Jones Bluff, Tombigbee River, Sumter
Co., AL."

By convention, "4 miles north of Livingston" means "4 miles north of the
CENTER of Livingston," ordinarily measured from the courthouse or the most
central road intersection. Do not use it to mean "4 miles north of the
Livingston city limits," which can change from year to year.

Always describe the location in terms that someone could understand many
years from now. Avoid measuring distances from gas stations, groceries, or
mile markers (which change every time the road is straightened). Do measure
distances from relatively permanent landmarks such as churches, centers of
bridges, and road intersections.

Collector: Can use initials if many specimens have the same collector. Make
sure that at least some labels have the full name. [NOTE: If specimens are
sent to other people instead of being retained in one collection, then
always use the full name.]

Date: Date of collection.

Field no.: The number (if any) written on the bag or specimen at the time
of collection. This varies from person to person, though most people
precede the number with their initials to avoid confusion. Commonly used
methods include:

(1) Sequential for a lifetime: 1, 2, 3, ... Simple, but better keep track
of the last number you used!

(2) Sequential for each year: 97-1, 97-2, 97-3, ... Even very active
geologists rarely use more than 300 field numbers in a year. Again, keep
track!

(3) Coded by date. The third stop (or third sample) on August 6, 1997,
would be coded as 97-8-6-3. This makes for a longer number, but the date
need not be written twice on the bag, and there is no need to look up the
last number.

More complex methods than these usually fail.

Catalog no.: The final number (if any) accompanying the washed and labeled
specimen in the school museum or other collection.

+++++++++++++

I hope this is helpful.

Andrew K. Rindsberg
Geological Survey of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA