Botany, 245 



having hatched it from the eggs of the latter. His notes are accompanied 

 by a magnified representation of the minute creature {fig. 13. a, antennae ; 

 /, feet ; s, one of the lateral spines) together with 

 a second figure, of the natural size, for compa- 

 rison (between s and/). He states that, after 

 numerous fruitless attempts, he at length [)ro- 

 cured, in 1827, examples of the crab with 

 spawn apparently ready to hatch, and succeed- 

 ed in protecting one individual until young 

 burst from their envelopes, and swam about in 

 myriads, under the exact form given in the 

 plate. In this stage, he adds, they are colour- 

 less, and transparent as glass, except the dark 

 central part of each eye, and a blackish dot 

 on each side every abdominal segment, the 

 dorsal spine exhibiting a pale pink tint, for 

 nearly half its length, from the point down- 

 wards. 



We cannot but recommend the example of 

 Mr. Thompson to our other friends on the 

 sea-coast, some of whom will, we doubt not, be stimulated by his success, 

 as well as assisted by the clue which he has afforded, in the investigation 

 of this highly interesting subject. As several forms of Zoea have now 

 been described and figured, it is perhaps but fair to presume that they 

 are the young of as many forms of Decapodous Crustacea; and it may 

 not be too much to imagine that the whole order will be found, on 

 examination, to be subject to the same laws of metamorphosis which regu- 

 late at least one of its species. At all events, here is an ample field oF 

 study opened for the careful observer. — E. 



Art. in. Botany, 



Drying Plants. — As one main object of your Magazine is to assist 

 the tyro in natural history, I do not hesitate to send you some details 

 of the process of drying plants, which I have, from time to time, adopted, 

 and can, from pretty long experience of their efficacy, safely recommend. I 

 entirely approve, and have long practised, the principle stated in Mr. Bree's 

 letter (Vol. I. p. 298.), of frequently changing the papers as they become 

 moist, but have satisfied myself with replacing them by others thoroughly 

 dry without heating them. Heated papers will, no doubt, shorten the pro- 

 cess and more effectually preserve the colours. I would, therefore, advise 

 their being always employed ; and what follows is little more than a detail 

 of the principle laid down in the letter above alluded to. Always gather 

 the root with herbaceous plants, and, if possible, select a specimen with 

 part of the head in seed as well as in flower. Clear away the soil, &c., 

 and when quite dry place the plant between the papers, holding down the 

 parts adjusted with the left hand while regulating the remaind^, and taking 

 care to display any particular part which marks the generic or specific cha- 

 racter. Instead of employing only two sheets of paper, lay three or four 

 both above and below the plant to absorb a greater portion of the moisture, 

 and place detached pieces of soft paper, folded into the required shape, size, 

 and thickness, on each side the stem and more prominent parts, and, if ne- 

 cessary, over the petals and leaves. This will equalise the pressure, and add 

 much to the beauty of the specimen. Different plants require different 

 degrees of pressure, accordingly as their texture is more or less firm ; and a 

 less degree of pressure should always be used the first two or three days of 

 the process, than as they approach desiccation, to prevent extravasation of 



