Herpetological collection

My husband has worked with preserved herp specimens for about 20
years now, some as old as late 19th century.  He advises that
changing out formalin will not hurt the specimens and that you
should use 50% isopropyl alcohol (70% is too high a concentration
and may dry them out.)  With regard to rehydrating dry
specimens--rinse them well in cool, running water to flush the
residual formalin and then soak them in running water for a least 24
hours before placing them in the 50% alcohol.

Diana Ruby Sanderson
Presbyterian Historical Society
Montreat, NC

                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 12:60
                 Distributed: Friday, January 22, 1999
                       Message Id: cdl-12-60-001
                                  ***