T. Kirk.— On the Preparation of Botanical Specimens. 319 



Collecting. 



For field-work the collector will require a strong digger or 

 trowel, in order to obtain tubers, bulbs, &c, in an undamaged 

 condition. The blade should be6in. or 7in. in length, concave 

 on the upper surface, Hiu. broad at the base, tapering to a 

 narrow, rounded end, with sharp edges. The shank should 

 be continued upwards for about 4in., and should have apiece of 

 puriri or other hard wood riveted in the front and shaped to 

 form a convenient handle. An old file may be made into an 

 unbreakable digger by any intelligent blacksmith. 



The vasculum, or collecting-box, may be of any convenient 

 size or shape, according to the fancy of the bearer. It should 

 be made of light sheet-zinc or tin, and lacquered both inside 

 and out. Where a large number of specimens is not required, 

 its length may be from 20in. to 24in. by 6in. or 7in. broad, and 

 from 4in. to oin. in depth. The sides and ends should be 

 convex, and the lid should open nearly the full length and 

 width of the upper side. A stout handle, large enough for the 

 hand to be passed through, should be attached to the upper 

 end, and two strong loops should be fixed on one side to allow 

 of the box being carried by a strap when required. 



Many collectors prefer to use a portfolio, which, like the 

 vasculum, may be made of any convenient size ; usually it will 

 be found most advantageous if of the same dimensions as the 

 herbarium- sheets. It can be made of two stout millboards 

 covered with American cloth, and connected by a leather 

 back. The whole should be secured by two light straps, with 

 buckles, so that pressure may be regulated as required ; and a 

 convenient handle should be attached. It should be filled 

 with folded sheets of any thin soft paper, about ^in. shorter 

 and narrower than the covers. Old newspapers cut to the 

 proper size will answer the purpose. The specimens should 

 be laid in the loose sheets, and the sheets removed to the 

 drying- press on reaching home. It saves much time and 

 trouble to keep small, delicate, or flaccid specimens in these 

 rough papers until they are thoroughly dry. 



For very small specimens a pocket press the size of an 

 octavo volume is very serviceable. It may be made of 

 common blotting-paper, with cardboard covers secured by stout 

 twine, or even by elastic rings. A book may easily be utilized 

 for a pocket press if nothing better can be obtained. 



Thin sheet guttapercha will often be found a great con- 

 venience, especially when collecting aquatic plants, in the 

 absence of a portable press. Isoetes, Naias, Potamogeton, and 

 other water-plants, if tightly wrapped in this material, and 

 packed so as to prevent bruising, may be kept in good condi- 

 tion for a week or ten days, and carried hundreds of miles 

 without injury. 



