EXPLORATORY NOTICES FOR APRIL. 135 



may be slung over the shoulder with a strap like a fish- 

 ing basket or artist's portfolio, and makes a better 

 turn out, and is in reality more convenient than the 

 tin vasculum. Plants at once carefully placed between 

 the leaves of the Collecting Book, may be preserved 

 for examination several days without detriment, though 

 it will be advisable of course as soon as convenient to 

 shift them into fresh papers, and then dry the leaves of 

 the book. 



As it is expedient in many instances to get up 

 plants by their roots, which are often a considerable 

 depth in hard gravelly soil or stiff clay, a large case 

 knife should be carried for this purpose ; or what is 

 better still, a Digger, or curved Trowel should be 

 obtained. This should be ordered from some cutler's, 

 and consists of a broad stiff blade six or eight inches 

 in length, fastened into a strong handle, and fitted 

 with a stout leather sheath. Or the steel may be in 

 a tubular shape, with a handle, like a bricklayer's 

 trowel, and fitted into a case. A blade or hook that 

 Would screw to the end of a walking-stick or umbrella^ 

 is a good aid for obtaining aquatic plants. 



A smaller pocket-book, or old pamphlet, which could 

 go into the breast pocket, is very convenient for the 

 more delicate plants ; and this, with a magnifying 

 glass hung round the neck, and some Compendium of 

 the British Flora in the pocket, will complete the 

 equipment absolutely necessary for the practical col- 

 lector. A sporting jacket of a dark hue, is perhaps 

 the best external covering for the traversing of bogs 

 and thickets ; and this should have besides its external 

 pockets, one or two within side, sufficiently large 

 to contain the collecting book* For a long excursion 



