’ 
36 DRYING AND PRESERVING 
‘“‘ with the pieces of paper, and likewise with the weights, and 
‘‘ thus the whole plant should be laid in its proper expanded 
‘‘ form by the same method. The weights should then be 
“‘ carefully removed, and the other leaf of the sheet of paper 
“ applied to its opposite one, having the loose pieces of paper 
“ and plant between them. After which, one or two of the 
“‘ books should be placed on the outside of the paper, and 
“ remain there till as many other plants as are intended to be 
‘“* preserved, have been prepared i in, like manner.* <A layer of — : 
“sand an inch deep should then be put into the box, and ~ 
“* afterwards one of the plants with the books placed upon it, 
*‘ which last should be removed after a sufficient quantity of 
*< sand is put upon the paper, to prevent the plant from varying 
“its form. All the other plants may then be put into the box 
‘* in the same manner, with a layer of sand about an inch thick 
“ between each, when the sand should be gently prefsed down 
“by the foot, and the degree of prefsure in some measure 
“¢ regulated by the kind of plants in the box. If they are stiff 
“ and firm, as the Holly or Furze, much prefsure is required. 
“ If tender and succulent a lefser degree is better, for fear of 
** extravasating the juices, which would injure the colour of the 
‘plant ; but particular care should be taken to make a suffi- 
“cient degree of prefsure upon the expanded blofsoms of 
“ plants, that they may not shrivel in drying, The box should — 
“ then be carefully placed before a fire, with one side a little — 
* raised or occasionally flat, as may be most convenient, alter- 
“ naicly changing the sides of the box to the fire, twice or — 
“ thrice aday; or, when convenient, it may be put into an — 
** oven in a gentle heat. In two or three days the plants will 
‘* be perfectly dry. The sand should then be taken out with 
‘fa common plate, and put into a spare box, and the plants 
“ ‘ carefully taken out — and removed to a sheet of writing — 
“ paper. 
“< This method of preserving plants i is, from much expeller : 
_ “found preferable to any other, and has every advantage at-_ 
_ * tending it that can be wished; it dries most of them of an 
“exceeding fine natural and durable colour, as well in the 
* Those of the Genus Potamogeton, and such like, ought to be put 
into the sand without lofs of time am well prefsed, otherwise wea dei are 
abt.to dry too fast and shrivel. 
