Documenting Your Collections
Info-Muse Network Documentation Guide

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Specimen Nature (Specimen/Description)

Definition:

Observations:

1. This field contains keywords describing the physical nature of the specimen, such as an anatomical part making up the specimen.
   Example

   	Specimen Nature	wing

2. This field also contains keywords describing the technique used to conserve the specimen.
   Example

   	Specimen Nature	naturalized

3. For better search results in your database, avoid a large variety of terms; draw up an authority list and add keywords as necessary. You can use the following authority list, based on the one established by the CHIN natural sciences working group:
   
   

   aggregate	enamel/dentine	mix	scrapbook
   altered	entire specimen	model	section
   antler	feather	mold	sediment
   artificial	fibre	moults	seed
   block	flower	mummy	SEM prep
   bone	fold	nail	shell
   branch	fossil	naturalized	sight
   cabochon	fragment	nest	skeleton
   carapace	fruit	nodule	skin
   carcass	geode	organ	skull
   cast	hair	osteoderm	slab
   chips	head	other	slice
   claw	horn	packet	slide
   cleared	keratine	part of anatomy	stained
   compound	layer	partial	stalactite
   concentrate	leaf	photograph	stalagmite
   concretion	limb	pinned	stem
   core	liquid	plastron	stone
   crust	lithic	pressed	synthetic
   crystal	live	rattles	test
   cut	macrofossil	residue	tooth
   discard	mandible	rock	vein
   druse	massif	rosette	viscera
   dry	microfossil	scales	wing
   ear	mineral	scat	wire
   egg

Entry rules:

1. You may need to follow the keyword with information not included in this list. If so, enter the keyword followed by a space and the information in parentheses.
   Example

   	Discipline	mycology
   	Genus	Coprinus
   	Species	micaceus
   	Specimen Nature	partial (cap)

2. This field may contain multiple entries separated by a semicolon followed by a space.
   Example

   	Discipline	mycology
   	Genus	Morchella
   	Species	esculenta
   	Specimen Nature	liquid; partial