COLLECTING AND PRESERVING MARINE ALGjE. 33 



The utensils are very simple: — a shallow tin pan, such as is used for 

 baking, perhaps 12-14x6-8 inches and from 1-2 inches deep, and 

 a rectangular piece of zinc just a little smaller than the bottom 

 of the pan. If large specimens are to be mounted, of course a 

 larger pan (such as a " dripping pan ") and zinc are readily obtain- 

 able. The corners of the zinc are bent over at a sharp angle, all 

 on the same side. The piece of zinc is then placed in the pan with 

 the bent portions downwards so as to raise the main portion of tlie 

 zinc somewhat from the bottom of the pan. Water is then poured 

 in, fresh or salt as the case may be, until it is just the least bit 

 above the surface of the piece of zinc. Take the card or piece of 

 paper, lay it with one surface down in the water, thoroughly wetting 

 that surface, and then turn it over, doing the same thing for the 

 otiier surface, but leaving the paper upon the surface of the zinc 

 just barely covered with water. Now place the specimen to be 

 mounted, already pruned of superfluous branches and carefully 

 cleaned, upon the paper, and with the forefinger of the left hand 

 gently ilepress the paper and zinc until the specimen is floating 

 fairly freely. AVith the right hand, spread out the specimen upon 

 the paper, using a pair of forceps, needles, or a camel's hair brush to 

 assist in the process. When finally spread out, gradually release 

 the pressure upon the zinc, allowing it to rise and drain off" some of 

 the water. Then gently raise one end of the zinc until the whole 

 of the specimen is out of the water. As soon as the paper and 

 specimen are drained from the most of the water, remove them from 

 the zinc and place them on an inclined surface to remain until freed 

 from all the superfluous water. W'hen the paper is fairly dry but 

 before the alga has begun to show the effects, the specimen is to be 

 placed upon a sheet of drying or heavy blotting paper, a thin cloth 

 of the kind mentioned above is to be placed over it, another drier 

 upon that, a specimen or layer of specimens upon that, and so on. 

 A flat board with some stones, bricks, or other weights upon it makes 

 the best press. Only a light weight should be placed upon it at 

 first, but after twelve to twenty-four hours, the weiglit may be much 

 increased. The driers should be changed twice a day if possible, 

 once a day at the very least, as noted above, until the specimens 

 are perfectly dry. Most of the finer specimens will adhere suflS- 

 ciently to the paper in drying, but some will not. The latter must 



