[Nhcoll-l] Help with Eggs
Hawks, Catharine
HawksC at si.edu
Mon Jun 4 15:27:31 EDT 2012
One word of warning about clear, hard plastic boxes. These are almost always made of polystyrene. An surface imperfection, however minor, will permit the box to offgas peroxides that damage the organic components and pigments in the eggs. Polystyrene is also highly susceptible to the vapor from most organic pesticides (anything that contains a benzene ring). It will breakdown and may, in extreme cases, melt down on the eggs when exposed to vapors from past use of the chemicals.
Cathy
From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of René Corado
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2012 3:18 PM
To: Jeff.Stephenson at dmns.org; tlabedz1 at unl.edu; sugal at voicenet.com; NHCOLL-L at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Help with Eggs
Hi Sue,
Here at WFVZ we house all our egg specimens in clear plastic boxes, and the eggs are on a layer of white non-sterile cotton inside the boxes so they are pressed fairly tightly between the cotton and the lid of the box. The boxes help prevent breakage, damage from dust, and moisture.
Here are two sources for cotton:
Schein cotton http://www.henryschein.com/
Go to dental supplies (it may also be under other categories), search for "cotton roll" or the stock number is 1000147HI, Schein number 42802.
US Cotton Inc. New Mexico.Phone (505) 892-2269
Here is a source for plastic boxes:
Durphy Packaging Co.
47 Richard Road
Ivyland, PA 18974-1512
P: 215-674-1260
F: 215-674-3051
E: durphy at durphypkg.com<mailto:durphy at durphypkg.com>
We print our own labels on our LaserJet printer on acid free paper (30 labels on an 8 1/2x 11 sheets) and place the labels inside the egg
boxes. For the acid free paper you can try Light Impressions. 439 Monroe Ave., Rochester, NY 14607-3717. Phone (800)828-6217. Fax. (716)442-7318.
René Corado
Collections Manager
Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology
439 Calle San Pablo
Camarillo, CA 93012
http://www.wfvz.org<http://www.wfvz.org/cms/index.php>
email: rene at wfvz.org
Phone: 805/388-9944
From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Jeff.Stephenson at dmns.org<mailto:Jeff.Stephenson at dmns.org>
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2012 6:25 AM
To: tlabedz1 at unl.edu<mailto:tlabedz1 at unl.edu>; sugal at voicenet.com<mailto:sugal at voicenet.com>; NHCOLL-L at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:NHCOLL-L at mailman.yale.edu>
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Help with Eggs
Dear Sue,
Eggs are among the most fragile of all natural and cultural history objects, and present one of the greatest challenges for public interaction and storage in a hands-on collection. The solution that Thomas provides is a good one; I would however always have actual egg specimens in some protected hard-plastic or glass-topped container, with foam and batting cushions and lined with Tyvek to provide cradles for the eggs. The full-view boxes that are made of Mylar or other flexible plastics often do not provide enough protection from curious fingers. The one exception for actual eggs may be ostrich or emu eggs, but you probably should count on replacing even these every two years on average. Unless you have a ready supply of eggs ready to go in your pipeline, and can replace every 2-24 months, I would recommend purchasing some wooden replicas for the hands-on portion. There are several nature companies that you can look up on the internet who provide such.
Thanks,
Jeff Stephenson, Collections Manager
Zoology
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
2001 Colorado Boulevard
Denver, CO 80205
From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu]<mailto:[mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu]> On Behalf Of Thomas Labedz
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2012 6:48 AM
To: Susan Gallagher; NHCOLL-L at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:NHCOLL-L at mailman.yale.edu>
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Help with Eggs
In the past I'd get fresh quail (Coturnix) eggs from a nearby lab and have students learn to drill a single hole and using a pipette blow the contents from the egg. Last thing I'd have them do is crush one of their eggs with their fingers so they would have the tactile memory of how little pressure it takes to ruin all their hard work. Those students were always much more careful in handling eggs and in general more respectful of other specimens.
When I put bird eggs out for an open house, or other minimally supervised event, I make certain the eggs are in a covered container of some sort (similar to the full view artifact boxes from Universal Products) and in a heavy drawer that is not easily jostled.
Thomas E. Labedz, Collections Manager
Division of Zoology and Division of Botany
University of Nebraska State Museum
W-436 Nebraska Hall
900 N. 16th St.
Lincoln, NE 68588-0514
402/472-8366 (p.m.,Zoo.), 402/472-1607 (a.m.,Bot.), fax 402/472-8949
tlabedz1 at unl.edu<mailto:tlabedz1 at unl.edu> www.museum.unl.edu<http://www.museum.unl.edu>
From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu]<mailto:[mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu]> On Behalf Of Susan Gallagher
Sent: Sunday, June 03, 2012 8:43 PM
To: NHCOLL-L at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:NHCOLL-L at mailman.yale.edu>
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Help with Eggs
Hello List,
I would appreciate any advice on storing, displaying and labeling bird eggs as part of a teaching collection. It seems no matter how carefully I manage them, they never last more than a few years, and I'm tired of losing some of my nicest specimens.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Sue
********************************************************
Susan Gallagher, Chief Naturalist
Carbon County Environmental Education Center
151 East White Bear Drive
Summit Hill, Pennsylvania, 18250
(570) 645-8597
www.carboneec.org<http://www.carboneec.org>
Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as important to the child, as it is to the caterpillar.
- Bradley Miller
From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu]<mailto:[mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu]> On Behalf Of Cannatella, David
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2012 3:01 PM
To: Ross MacCulloch
Cc: NHCOLL-L at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:NHCOLL-L at mailman.yale.edu>
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Fluid collections
In our situation at Univ. Texas, the interpretation of the Code falls to the Fire Marshall. Our experience is that when a new Fire Marshall came on board he re-interpreted the Code, to our detriment.
Dave
On May 25, 2012, at 12:34 PM, Ross MacCulloch wrote:
Since the Universal Fire Code was adopted in North America, many institutions have been forced to make expensive modifications to existing facilities or to build entirely new facilities for alcohol storage. As Andy said, these facilities have fire prevention/containment measures built in, as well as provisions for spill containment.
One thing that we found was that although the Code is supposedly "universal", its interpretation and application varies among jurisdictions. When you begin designing your new facility, I strongly recommend that the design/architectural team includes someone familiar with fire codes, and who can liaise with your local Fire Dept., whose approval for your facility will be required.
best wishes in your new facility
Ross
Ross D. MacCulloch
Assistant Curator - Herpetology
Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queen's Park
Toronto
Ontario M5S 2C6
>>> "Bentley, Andrew Charles" <abentley at ku.edu<mailto:abentley at ku.edu>> 25-May-12 11:21 AM >>>
Dave
Kols Containers is very much in business and we buy all of our glass from them. Our contact there is Judy Bounds and she can be reached atjbounds at kolscontrainers.com<mailto:jbounds at kolscontrainers.com> or (410) 646-2300. I have also attached a fairly recent price list for the various sizes of jars we purchase as well as lids.
In terms of storage of large quantities of ethanol we have found that the amount allowed depends very much on how the space is classified. We are only allowed a certain number of gallons in offices and labs but our ethanol storage facility is classified as not being occupied by people on a regular basis and also has several fire prevention measures (lower temp at 65°F below flash point, HVAC system that changes air every 2 hours and sprinkler system). We also have explosion proof electrical outlets, fire rated doors etc. etc. I unfortunately do not have the specifics but could probably find them if no one else chimes in. You should also be able to get this information from your fire marshal.
Hope that helps
Andy
A : A : A :
}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<)))_°>
V V V
Andy Bentley
Ichthyology Collection Manager
University of Kansas
Biodiversity Institute
Dyche Hall
1345 Jayhawk Boulevard
Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561
USA
Tel: (785) 864-3863
Fax: (785) 864-5335
Email: abentley at ku.edu<mailto:abentley at ku.edu>
http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu<http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu/>
: :
A : A : A :
}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<)))_°>
V V V
From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu]<mailto:[mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu]> On Behalf Of Dyer, Dave
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 12:30 PM
To: NHCOLL-L at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:NHCOLL-L at mailman.yale.edu>
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Fluid collections
Hi Everyone,
I have a couple questions regarding fluid storage. We are in the process of working on a grant to, among other things, rescue our 3,000-jar fluid collection from an awful, inaccessible storage situation to a new workable facility. Can someone recommend a supplier for good quality jars and closures? Is Kols Containers/O'Berk still in business? We purchased supplies from them years ago but their web site seems to be shut down.
Also, how have museums reconciled storage of large amounts of ethyl alcohol with local fire codes? Apparently we can only store 120 gallons of 70% ETOH per ROOM, but our collection is approximately 2,000 gallons! Thanks in advance for your advice and information.
Sincerely,
Dave
David Dyer, Curator
Philip L. Wright Zoological Museum
Div. of Biological Sciences
University of Montana
Missoula, MT 59812
[cid:image001.gif at 01CD4266.8F8E56A0] <http://www.rom.on.ca/visit/>
_______________________________________________
Nhcoll-l mailing list
Nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:Nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
http://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l
David Cannatella 512-471-5302 (lab)
Professor, Integrative Biology 512-232-4862 (office; voicemail)
1 University Station C0930 512-471-3878 (fax)
University of Texas
Austin, Texas 78712
www.cannatellalab.org<http://www.cannatellalab.org>
Curator of Herpetology, Texas Natural Science Center
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20120604/284ef52b/attachment-0001.html
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.gif
Type: image/gif
Size: 10895 bytes
Desc: image001.gif
Url : http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20120604/284ef52b/attachment-0001.gif
More information about the Nhcoll-l
mailing list