COLLECTING 159 



Note-books with numbered detachable pages, so that the descr. ui" 

 each specimen can be separated ; consecutively numbered and perforated 

 labels for specimens, the numbers to correspond to those in note- book. 

 The labels may be joined to the pages or in sheets like postage stamps. 

 More than one of each number will usu. be needed. 



COLLECTING AND PRESERVING. The following hints will be found 

 useful. 



Decide the general object of the work in advance, and collect 

 principally for the furtherance of that object. 



In collecting for subsequent distr., collect enough specimens to go 

 round, but do not seriously diminish a plant in its native locality. 



Do not collect immediately on arrival ; first become familiar with 

 the plants aii'1 their local features and distribution. Better results are 

 obtained by choosing certain localities as headquarters and working 

 these thoroughly, than by rushing through a large district. 



Do not collect herbarium material in wet weather. 



Collect specimens which are as typical as possible, but also take 

 some illustrating the range of variation, the difference of habit and size 

 on different soils or situations, &c. 



Collect entire pi. if possible, incl. r. In shrubs or trees, twigs with 1. 

 in all stages, portions of stem-bark and anything else necessary for a com- 

 plete descr. Do not forget rad. 1., buds, fl., ripe and unripe fr., seeds. 



If a large collection is being made, it is quicker to use the portfolio 

 than the vasculum, and to press each specimen as soon as obtained. 



Large flowers or heads (e.g. thistles), fruits, roots, tubers, &c. may 

 be sliced in half before pressing, or the surface only sliced off. Notes 

 and sketches should be made of the original appearance. 



L. of Conifers, Heaths, Succulents, &c. fall when dried, unless 

 previously immersed a few seconds in boiling water. Do not 

 immerse fl. 



Thurny and prickly plants should first be placed between boards 

 and pressed down with the feet ; the prickles would otherwise tear 

 the papers. 



Delicate water plants should be arranged upon sheets of white paper 

 under water, and always remain on these sheets while drying. 



It saves time in drying delicate specimens to keep each always in a 

 folded sheet of very thin paper. 



Place extra fl., small fragments, seeds, &c., in small envelopes, 

 numbered to correspond with the specimens; do not have any small 

 parts loose, or confusion may result. 



Place all specimens in the press the day they are collected. Withered 

 plants may be soaked in water; if the stem be cut 2 3 in. above the 

 former cut and tinder water it will often revive quickly. 



Label every specimen with its consecutive number in such a way 

 that the number cannot be lost. Punched labels are best, tied on with 

 thread. See that all envelopes, &c. have the same number. 



Spread out the specimens naturally. It many 1. &c. overlap, place 

 bits of drying paper between. If stems have to be cut, mark the corre- 

 sponding ends by stars on the paper. Spread out some fl., leave others 

 unspread, and divide some in the antero-post. plane. Divide some fr. 

 lengthwise and crosswise. 



