COLLECTING EQUIPMENT
[Fossil] collecting is a relatively inexpensive hobby because it requires a minimum of supplies and equipment. However, as in almost any hobby, there are certain basic items of equipment that must be acquired.
Hammer
The hammer is the basic tool in the collector’s kit. Almost any type of hammer is satisfactory, but as collecting experience is gained it may be desirable to get a geologist’s hammer. These hammers, also called mineralogist’s or prospector’s picks, are of two types. One type has a square head on one end and a pick on the other ([Pl. 5]): the other type is similar to a stonemason’s or bricklayer’s hammer and has a chisel end instead of the pointed pick end. The square head of the hammer is useful in breaking or chipping harder rocks, and the chisel or pick end is good for digging, prying, and splitting soft rocks.
Collecting Bag
It will be necessary to have some type of bag in which to carry equipment, fossils, and other supplies. A Boy Scout knapsack, musette bag ([Pl. 5]), hunting bag, or similar canvas or leather bag is suitable.
Chisels
A pair of chisels is useful when fossils must be chipped out of the surrounding [rock]. Two sizes, preferably ½ and 1 inch, will usually suffice. A small sharp punch or awl is effective in removing smaller specimens from the softer rocks.
Wrapping Materials
Some specimens are more fragile than others, and these should be handled with special care. Several sheets of newspaper should always be kept in the collecting bag, and each specimen should be wrapped individually as it is collected. Such precautions taken in the field will usually prevent prized specimens from being broken or otherwise damaged. In addition to newspaper, it is wise to carry a supply of tissue paper in which to wrap more fragile specimens.
Map, Notebook, and Pencil
It is most important to have some method of recording where the fossils were found. It is very easy to forget where the material was collected, and one should never rely on memory. A small pocket-sized notebook is inexpensive and just the right size to carry in the field.
A highway or county map should be used to find the geographic location of each collecting locality. Maps of Texas counties can be obtained from the Texas Highway Department, File D-10, Austin 14, Texas. These maps come in three different sizes, but for most purposes the 18×25-inch sheets, with a scale of ½ inch = 1 mile, will be satisfactory. These are available for all counties and may be purchased at a nominal price.
Magnifying Glass
A magnifying glass or hand lens ([Pl. 5]) is useful for looking at small specimens and will also prove helpful in examining the finer details of larger fossils. A 10-power magnification is satisfactory for most purposes, and several inexpensive models are available.
Paper or Cloth Bags
Small bags are useful in separating specimens from different localities. Heavy-duty hardware bags for large rough material and medium-weight grocery bags for smaller specimens may be used. Locality data may be written directly on the bag or on a label placed inside with the fossils. As an added precaution some collectors do both. The more serious collector may want to use a cloth geological sample bag ([Pl. 5]).
Plate 5
[FOSSIL] COLLECTING EQUIPMENT
GEOLOGIC HAMMER (Chisel end) MAGNIFYING GLASS GEOLOGIC HAMMER (Pick end) COLLECTING BAG SAMPLE SACK
Other Useful Items
The items described above are those that are most needed and constitute the basic equipment of the [fossil] hunter. The serious amateur may wish to include certain additional items which will place his collecting on a more professional basis. Some of these accessory items are:
1. A [topographic map] of the collecting area. These are available for many parts of the State and are published and distributed at nominal cost by the United States Geological Survey, Washington, D. C., and/or Denver, Colorado. The Survey can supply an index sheet showing all such maps available for Texas.
2. A [geologic map] of the collecting area if one is available. The list of publications of the Bureau of Economic Geology should be consulted to see if a geologic report or map of the area has been published. This list may be obtained without charge from the Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas, Austin 12, Texas.
3. The [geologic map] of Texas. Although a geologic map of Texas is included in this publication ([Pl. 10]), the scale is so small that its use is somewhat limited. For more detailed work a larger geologic map in color (scale: 1 inch = 31.56 miles) may be ordered from the Bureau. The sale price is 25 cents.
4. A compass for more accurate location of collecting localities.
5. Adhesive or masking tape. The locality information can be written on the tape and applied directly to the specimen.
6. Paper labels (about 3×5 inches). A properly completed label should be placed inside each bag of material.