While preparing Paleozoic star-fishes, echinoids and brachiopods for study, the writer found paraffine to be much more desirable than plaster of Paris as a support for the fossil during cleaning. The advantage is the easy removability from the cleaned specimen. In making preparations for cleaning fossils, the dental engine is very useful, but for the most delicate work against the shell, needles sharpened to a chisel edge are the best tools.