[NHCOLL-L:2888] numbering greasy bones

[Cindy A Ramotnik]

I don't recall if this subject has been discussed on 
NHCOLL previously but I'd like to bring it up on behalf of 
a colleague. Those who work with vertebrate skeletal 
collections often use permanent black ink in disposable 
pens to individually number skeletal elements. The bones 
of some specimens are quite greasy (all waterfowl and long 
bones of medium to large mammals come to mind), making the 
labelling process difficult. Do any of you have 
suggestions for how to individually number the bones 
without having to resort to further degreasing the bone? 
Clearly, there are differing opinions on how much grease 
"should" be removed from a specimen but in the interest of 
time, is there a way to "spot degrease" the section of 
bone to be numbered?

Thanks,
Cindy

Cindy Ramotnik
U.S. Geological Survey
Department of Biology
MSC03 2020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
505-277-5369