THE HERBAEIUM. 369 



after cleansing, be floated in a shallow tin-tray filled with 

 fresh water ; but if they are only of moderate size, a white 

 soup-plate will answer the purpose : let the plate be nearly 

 filled with luke-warm water. Let a good supply of paper 

 be at hand ; and, as much of the beauty of the specimen 

 depends on the quality of the paper, it should be fine, 

 and at the same time stout, almost as good as drawing- 

 paper. The paper should be cut so as to be quite smooth 

 at the edges, and as this is best effected by the book- 

 binder's knife, it is well to have it done when the paper is 

 purchased. 



Having got the paper neatly cut into square and oblong- 

 portions, of different sizes, take a piece suited to the size of 

 the specimen, and place it under the weed floating in the 

 water, then putting tlie left hand under the paper, bring 

 it near the surface, and gently move the sea-weed till it 

 assume on the paper a natural and graceful form; the 

 fingers of the right hand may be employed in helping to 

 arrange the branches of the plant, or some sharp-pointed 

 instrument may be used for this purpose, — a penknife, the 

 quill of a porcupine, or, what is still better, as being less 

 sharp, the point of a silver fruit-knife. A pair of nice 

 little scissors should be at hand, to remove any superabun- 

 dant branches. 



2 B 



