After the fossils have been cleaned and tentatively identified, they should be cataloged. This is necessary to enable the collector to have a record of his collection and to furnish as much information as possible about each individual fossil.

The collecting data can be taken from the labels that were placed in each bag of fossils as they were collected, or from the field notebook. Actually, it is wise to check one against the other. This information should then be entered in some type of record book and also placed on a more permanent label which is put in the tray or box with the fossil. The catalog and label should contain such pertinent data as (1) the scientific name of the fossil, (2) the geologic formation from which the specimen was collected, (3) the exact geographic location of the collecting locality, (4) the name of the collector, (5) the date the fossil was collected, and (6) the catalog number of the specimen. The latter is usually placed in the upper right hand corner of the label (fig. 6) and corresponds with a like number in the record book.

The entries in the catalog should be numbered consecutively, and all specimens from the same locality should bear the same number. This number should be written on the fossil with India ink, preferably on any remaining matrix or on some inconspicuous part of the specimen (fig. 6). If the surface of the fossil is too coarse or porous for ink, the catalog number can be written on a small patch of white enamel or clear nail polish painted on the specimen. After the ink has dried it should be coated with a dab of clear shellac or clear nail polish to help preserve the number. If each specimen is numbered, it can easily be identified even if it should become separated from its label.