G8 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



much, and has produced results of the most admirable character; but 

 the process necessitates the use of dried vegetable specimens in order to 

 the production of the image. Wliile this is, at least, no drawback in 

 the case of ferns, and is, perhaps, even an advantage, yet it strongly 

 militates against the process in the case of many other plants. In or- 

 der to meet this difficulty, Dr. Dresser suggested an " Improved Na- 

 ture-Printing " process, which he patented, in conjunction with Dr. 

 Lvon Playfair, in which impressions are taken from the living plant, 

 and which may be substantially described as follows : A sheet of 

 foolscap writing-paper should be provided, a handful of fine cotton 

 wool, a piece of muslin, one or more tubes of common oil-paint (ac- 

 cording to the color required), a little sweet oil, and a quantity of 

 smooth, soft, cartridge-paper, or, better, plate-paper. Having placed 

 the sheet of foolscap paper, while doubled (the two thicknesses mak- 

 ing it a little softer), on a smooth table, squeeze from the tube about 

 as much oil-color as would cover a shilling, and place this on one 

 corner of the sheet of foolscap ; now form a " dabber " by enclosing a 

 quantity of the cotton-wool in two thicknesses of muslin, and tying 

 it up so as to give it roundness of form. Take up a portion of the 

 oil-paint from the corner of the paper, with the dabber, and, by dab- 

 bing, give the central portion of the sheet of foolscap a coat of color. 

 This dabbing may be continued for half an hour or more with advan- 

 tage, taking a small quantity more color when the paper becomes 

 dry ; two or three drops of sweet oil may now be added to the paper 

 and distributed by the aid of the dabber, if the color is thick, when 

 the paper will be fully prepared for use. 



The paper may be left for an hour or two after being first coated 

 with color without injury, and, indeed, this delay is favorable, for until 

 the paper becomes impregnated with oil, the results derived are not 

 so favorable as they become after the paper is more fully enriched 

 with this material. While the color is soaking into the paper, a num- 

 ber of leaves should be gathered which are perfect in form, and free 

 from dust ; and these can be kept fresh by placing them in an earth- 

 enware pan, the bottom of which is covered with a damp cloth, but 

 it will be well to place a damp cloth over the orifice of the pan also. 

 Selecting a woolly or hairy leaf, place it on the painted portion of the 

 sheet of foolscap, and dab it with the dabber till it acquires the color 

 of the paint used ; this being done, turn the leaf over, and dab the 

 other side ; now lift it from the paint paper by the stalk, and place it 

 with care between a folded portion of the " plate " or " cartridge " pa- 

 per, and if the stalk of the leaf appears to be in the way, cut it off 

 with a pair of scissors ; now bring down the upper portion of the 

 folded piece of paper upon the leaf, and rub the paper externally 

 with the finger, or a soft rag, bringing the paper thus in contact with 

 every portion of the leaf. If the paper is now opened, and the leaf 

 removed, a beautiful impression of both sides of the leaf will be found 

 remaining. In like manner, impressions of any tolerably flat leaves 

 can be taken ; but harsh leaves will be found most difficult, and should 

 hence be avoided by the beginner. While the paper is yet rich in 

 color, downy leaves should be chosen ; but color may at any moment 

 be added, care being always taken to distribute the paint evenly over 

 the paper, with the dabber, before the latter is applied to the leaf, 



