PRESSING AND MOUNTING. 49 



regular press. We say a regular one ; but, on second 

 thought, we should correct by saying the simplest press 

 you can make. As good as any consists of two strong, 

 cleated boards, with a weight on top. The plants are 

 removed from box or portfolio, and placed in their 

 species-sheets, between driers, or wads of bibulous 

 paper. A pile is thus made. The specimens re- 

 main permanently in their special folios, but the dri- 

 ers must be frequently changed, and new ones put in, 

 while the wet ones are exposed to sunlight' or heat. 

 Herein is the whole secret of good specimen-making : 

 well-regulated pressure, and incessant change of driers. 



We ought to state, however, as this is a perverse 

 world, and inanimate objects often seem imp-directed, 

 that when one wholly forgets a series of specimens, 

 and leaves them in the press for weeks, they occasion- 

 ally come out better than others that have been 

 watched. Yet, dear youthful collector, build not too 

 high hope on this result of laziness ! Eternal vigi- 

 lance is the rule. Various forms of press are used. 

 Some are provided with straps, others with screws and 

 levers. After all, a simple weight, following the plants 

 down as they shrink, is as good as any thing. The 

 length of time that a plant should remain in press can 

 best be learned from experience. Judge by the feel- 

 ing whether it is dry. If still damp, let it remain. 



THE MOUNTING OF PLANTS. 



The collector's work does not cease when he has 

 pressed his plants. Indeed, it has then hardly begun. 

 Supposing that they are now perfectly dried, they must 

 next be poisoned. This is necessary to prevent the 

 attacks of insects which will otherwise be likely com- 

 pletely to destroy them. One has a feeling of de- 

 spair when he goes to his cases some day and finds 



