Sorry, but I have to disagree with Andrew's observations.  After 20 years
of preserving, both temporarily and permanently, in isopropyll or ethanol,
I have noticed no degradation of specimen quality for museum purposes.
None.  However, even buffered formalin etches shells.  Formalin or
formaldehyde are much too harsh to use on almost all shells.  Alan Solem
noted that even short-term usage of formalin and subsequent
recrystallization comprimised soft tissue at the cellular level for CERTAIN
uses.

The above observations are for museum purposes only.  Specimen shells for
private collections are different.  I would not keep them in ANY
preservative for very long, but I would still NEVER use formalin or its
derivatives.....   Next time I'll tell you how I really feel about
formalin......Kurt


At 05:21 PM 12/7/99 +1300, you wrote:
>>My preferred method is to transfer the material into alcohol for a few days,
>>then dry it thoroughly.  It dries virtually odorless after the alcohol
>>treatment, and can then be stored indefinitely with no special
requirements -
>>just like sand.
>>Paul M.
>
>
>Specimens preserved in alcohols can decompose once the alcohol has
>evaporated. Formaldehyde denatures the proteins in such a way as to prevent
>subsequent rotting ie it fixes them. Formaldehyde needs dilution and
>buffering, or it will etch shells and over time may dissolve them
>completely. Commercial formalin is an aqueous solution of formaldehyde, and
>should be futrher diluted down to 4% of the commercial strength
>.
>Andrew G
>