[Nhcoll-l] Help with Eggs

Tue Jun 5 14:27:39 EDT 2012

Hi Sue,

I used to line eggs that might be handled with paraffin wax.  Just  pour 
molten wax into the shell through the 'blowhole', put a thumb over the hole  
and gently turn the egg to spread the molten wax before it sets.  This  would 
substantially lengthen the lives of eggshells that were handled.

With all good  wishes, Simon

Simon Moore MIScT, FLS, ACR,
Conservator of Natural  Sciences,

_www.natural-history-conservation.com_ 
(http://www.natural-history-conservation.co.uk/) 

_www.pocket-fruit-knives.info _ (http://www.pocket.fruit-knives.com/) 

In a message dated 04/06/2012 14:45:59 GMT Daylight Time,  
Jeff.Stephenson at dmns.org writes:

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]  On Behalf Of Thomas Labedz
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2012 6:48  AM
To: Susan Gallagher; 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    www.museum.unl.edu 

From:  nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu 
[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
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 
at_jbounds 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

 (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_ 
(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

_______________________________________________
Nhcoll-l  mailing  list
Nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
http://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20120605/3f4735b9/attachment-0001.html 
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: image/gif
Size: 10895 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20120605/3f4735b9/attachment-0001.gif 