HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



79 



solitary spot on the shield. The common field slug 

 {Limax agrcstis) was present in the consignment 

 in great variety and abundance. The type as defined 

 by Lessona, var. sylvatica as defined by Moquin- 

 Tandon, and var. iristis, also of Moquin, were in 

 abundance, and with them were a few lilac speci- 

 mens referable to var. lilacina and one of Mr. But- 

 terell's black var. nigra. 



Altogether the consignments were of much interest, 

 and had the great merit that the common species 

 were sent in sufficient number to permit of an 

 efficient study of their variation. I may conclude 

 this note by stating that the line which parts the 

 two divisions of Gloucestershire is traced along the 

 Thames and Severn Canal, to the point where it 

 joins the Severn ; then up that river as far as 

 Tewkesbury. 



I shall be glad to receive similar consignments from 

 other districts. 



Wm. Denison Roebuck. 

 Sunny Bank, Leeds. 



ON DRYING FLOWERS. 



SEVERAL queries with reference to this subject 

 have appeared in recent numbers of Science- 

 Gossip. Hence there need be no apology for des- 

 cribing an original method, which is fairly successful, 

 and is at least both simple and inexpensive. 



It is easily understood that, as a great help to 

 success, the plants should be gathered when the sun 

 is shining upon them. If obtained at other times, 

 they should be kept in a room some hours before 

 putting into the press. 



As a basis of operations, obtain a well-seasoned 

 piece of board, about a foot wide, and eighteen inches 

 long. On this place several layers of paper, not 

 necessarily botanical drying paper, but any unglazed 

 kind will do. Old newspapers answer admirably. 

 Then carefully place a limited number of specimens 

 on this, or possibly only one, if large, exercising 

 caution in properly disposing the petals and foliage. 

 Over this place several more thicknesses of paper, on 

 which other specimens can be arranged, as before, 

 repeating the process, till discretion, or experience, 

 suggest that a sufficient number have been put in. 

 Then place on the top a stout piece of mill-board, 

 slightly less in size than] the wooden base. Next, 

 obtain a piece of good cord, and make a running 

 noose near one end, then bring the cord under the 

 press ; repeat the cross tie, near the other end, finally 

 bringing it to the point of starting, and drawing it up 

 quite slightly. Or, in other words, tie up,'in the usual 

 way for a long parcel, care being taken that the 

 investing cord should have considerable tension upon 

 the press, so as to keep the organs of the 'plant in 

 their places during drying, but not with too severe a 

 strain, by which the delicate parts would be crushed. 



Then comes the question of rapid drying. Culinary 

 heat does well. Excellent results have been obtained 

 by putting the presses on the plate rack over a 

 kitchen stove. Or a box of sand may be placed in a 

 similar position, and the presses immersed therein, 

 keeping the sand quite warm. If access can be had 

 to the boiler for an engine, or the stoves of a green- 

 house, these may be utilised, but the great secret of 

 success is to dry them rapidly. I have known the 

 hare -bell {Campanula rotiindifolia) prepared in 

 twenty-four hours, with its colours in good state. As 

 a rule, for ordinary plants, two or three days are 

 sufficient, and there need be no necessity for changing 

 the papers, when once the specimens are put in. 

 This is a great advantage over the old method, as the 

 delicate organs are liable to injury during the process 

 of transference. 



Some may be tempted, possibly, to use a wooden 

 board both above and below, but this does not 

 answer, as the moisture cannot easily escape. The 

 experience of several years teaches one, that, by using 

 mill-board at the top, the moisture is enabled to pass 

 off rapidly, which is an essential point in ensuring 

 success. Otherwise the plants may^be almost stewed 

 in their own fluids. Another rule for guidance may 

 be thus expressed : — " much paper, few plants." As 

 the presses are so inexpensive, they can easily be 

 multiplied if necessary. 



That this method if carried out carefully, will ensure 

 a fair amount of success, is attested by specimens 

 that were gathered in 1879, still retaining their 

 colours almost as fresh as when first collected. 

 Amongst these may be enumerated several of the 

 Ranunculaceae, and as a better test, the petals of the 

 white variety of musk mallow {Malva moschata), 

 which are perfect in their preservation. Good results 

 are also obtainable with the green winged orchis 

 {Orchis morio) which shows the various shades from 

 creamy white to deep purple, in different specimens. 

 Some orchids are best treated by being killed in 

 steam, not immersed in boiling water, as this saturates 

 the tissues with moisture. These plants, being 

 succulent, may require changing once or twice. 



Your correspondent Mr. McGann asks for blue or 

 red flowers that will retain their colours. Let him 

 try Salvinia splendens and Delphinium Ajacis, and 

 some of the exotic Euphorbiacese. Our native 

 Ranunculaceae, and Polygalaceas, contain species 

 which are very useful for the purpose desired. Other 

 groups of plants seem to resist all efforts to preserve 

 them in anything like their original beauty, such as 

 the Rubiacese, parasites, saprophytes, also the field 

 geranium {G. pratense), and water forget-me-not. 

 The field forget-me-not is much better for drying. 



The above hints, carried out with patience and 

 perseverance, will ensure sufficient success to, repay 

 the labour expended. 



J. Saunders. 

 Luton. 



