Rigid polystyrene boxes are used as a storage container for mollusk shells because they provide a physical barrier to dust and reduce handling by collection users. In addition, they serve to impede rapid changes in humidity and reduce exposure to potentially adverse conditions within the storage cabinet.

The specimens are protected from abrasion by lining the bottom and side interiors of the box with a cushioning material such as crosslinked or closed-cell polyethylene foam sheeting. For lots containing many shells, sheets of foam can be used to separate layers of specimens. This is especially useful in conserving space as well as protecting more delicate shell characters from damage for example, the hinge teeth of bivalves.

• Crosslinked polyethylene foam sheeting or polyethylene foam sheeting, closed-cell
• Lignin-free, alkaline buffered paper
• Paper cutter
• pH neutral paper board or alkaline buffered paper board (for dividers)
• Polyester film, uncoated
• Polyester tape, double-coated
• Polystyrene boxes, hinged lid, 1in x 3in x 1in and 2in x 3in x 11/4in
• Polystyrene boxes, unhinged lid 2in x 3in x 11/4in and 3in x 6in x 11/2in
• Technical pen and black drafting ink
  
  
  

Lining the Boxes & Arranging Drawers

1. Purchase boxes in incremental sizes to permit maximum efficiency in packing boxes of different sizes in a single row of a drawer.
2. With a paper cutter, cut foam squares and rectangles in appropriate dimensions to line the bottom and sides of the boxes. Cut the bottom liner 1/8in-1/4in smaller than the dimensions of the box, on all sides according to the thickness of the foam. This will permit the side pieces to fit between the bottom foam edges and the box. The foam pieces for the sides can be cut individually or in one long strip that will run around all sides of the box.
3. Insert the individual side foam pieces or the running strip along the edges of the box.
4. Push in the bottom piece to hold side pieces in place.
5. Arrange lots in the storage drawer so as to minimize shifting of individual containers.
6. Divide rows by cutting drawer-length slats of pH neutral or alkaline buffered paper board.
7. Use empty boxes at the end of partially or wholly empty rows to prevent shifting of the dividers.

Labels

1. Place labels, particularly fragile older labels, inside polyester film sheaths to protect them from abrasion and tears by the shell specimens. Polyester film sheeting also can be used to make pockets to hold labels inside plastic lids. Pockets can be attached to the lid with double-coated tape.
2. Place labels on top of the specimens rather than underneath; this reduces the need to move the shells in the box to read the labels.
3. Write new labels on lignin-free paper with an alkaline buffer, using permanent ink.