I just want to say that I am solidly in this camp.  There are too
many opportunities (dropped drawer, dermestids, silverfish, tray
jumping) for screw ups to risk not numbering shells.  A finely
pointed indelible ink pen (Pigma Micron 01 or 02) works great and the
numbers can usually be written in an out of the way place on the
shell it won't distract from your enjoyment.

On a completely different topic.  Chris Barnhart of Southwest
Missouri State U.  has kindly placed a pdf file of the history of the
Fairport Biological Station written by James Pritchard of Iowa State
on his web site at: http://unionid.smsu.edu/  The Fairport Station
was a govt. facility where much of the early work on mussel
propagation was done.  There are some great old photos of mussel
harvest and processing in the document.

Kevin

>From:    Kurt Auffenberg <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: Numbering
>
>All I'll say about not numbering loose shells ......don't drop the specimen
>tray!  Or move it (or the cabinet) too vigorously as shells can develop a
>nasty habit of jumping from one container to another.....
>
>Kurtles
>
>Mr. Kurt Auffenberg


>From:    zenken <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: Numbering
>
>I view my collection in terms of "forever", meaning i don't want to see it
>turn into an assortment of interesting baubles after I am gone due to careless
>handling. Far too much effort has been spent building it to take such chances.
>I've seen the state of more than one  personal collection upon donation to
>museums, and the resultant mess of mixed up data slips, lost data slips, eaten
>data slips - usually the result of handling by relatives before deciding to
>off-load the collection to a museum. I never want that to happen to my
>collection. Numbers on the shells can easily be matched with the catalog for
>the information. (Of course, you could donate your collection while still
>living and avoid most of these pitfalls).
>
>So I number my specimens, and make sure to use a high percentage rag archival
>grade of paper for labels, and black indelible ink to write the labels.
>
>A scientifically valuable collection is valued for the data associated with
>its specimens...why take chances with losing that? Many of us use that value
>as a basis to help justify the reasons we collect...I know I do...and I intend
>to make certain my collection remains "intact", despite what may happen to me
>along the way.
>
>Curatorially,
>Ken Zentzis
Wichita, Kansas
--
Kevin S. Cummings
Illinois Natural History Survey
607 E. Peabody Drive
Champaign, IL 61820
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http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/cbd/collections/mollusk.html

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