HERBARIUM. 50/ 



preserved. Even in spreading plants between 

 papers, we should retrain from that precise 

 and artificial disposition of their branches, 

 leaves, and other parts, which takes away 

 from their natural aspect, except for the pur- 

 pose of displaying the internal parts of some 

 one or two of their flowers, for ready ob- 

 servation. 



After all we can do, plants dry very vari- 

 ously. The blue colours of their flowers ge- 

 nerally fade, nor are reds always permanent. 

 Yellows are much more so, but very few 

 white flowers retain their natural aspect. The 

 Snowdrop and Parnassia, if well dried, con- 

 tinue white. Some greens are much more 

 permanent than others ; for there are some 

 natural families whose leaves as well as flowers 

 turn almost black by drying, as Melampy- 

 rum, Bartsia, and their allies, several Wil- 

 lows, and most of the Orchidece. The Heaths 

 and Firs in general cast off their leaves be- 

 tween papers, which appears to be an effort 

 of the living principle, for it is prevented by 

 immersion of the fresh specimen in boiling 

 water. Nandina domestica, a Japanese 

 shrub, lately introduced among us by Lady 



