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needed. The specimens as gathered may be placed in a tin box, 

 or, still better, in a portfolio of paper, until reaching home. About 

 forty or fifty sheets of the paper should be put into the portfolio on 

 setting out on an excursion. Put the specimens of each species in 

 a separate sheet as fast as gathered from the plant, taking a fresh 

 sheet for each additional species. On returning to camp, place 

 these sheets (without changing or disturbing the plants) between 

 the absorbent drying papers in the press, and draw the straps tight 

 enough to produce the requisite pressure. The next day the driers. 

 may be changed, and those previously used laid in the sun to dry ; 

 this to be continued until the plants are perfectly dry. If paper 

 and opportunities of transportation be limited, several specimens 

 from the same locality may be combined in the same sheet after 

 they are dry. 



Place in each sheet a slip of paper having a number or name of 

 locality written on it corresponding with a list kept in a memoran- 

 dum book. Record the day of the month, locality, size, and cha- 

 racter of the plant, color of flower, fruit, &c. 



If the stem is too long, double it or cut it into lengths. Collect, 

 if possible, half a dozen specimens of each kind. In the small 

 specimens, collect the entire plant, so as to show the root. 



In many instances, old newspapers will be found to answer a 

 good purpose both in drying and in keeping plants, although the 

 unprinted paper is best — the more porous and absorbent the better. 



When not travelling, pressure may be most conveniently applied 

 to plants by placing them between two boards, with a weight of 

 about 50 lbs. laid on the top. 



While on a march, the following directions for collecting plants, 

 drawn up by Major Rich, are recommended : — 



Have thick cartridge or envelop paper, folded in quarto form, 

 and kept close and even by binding with strong cord ; newspapers 

 will answer, but are liable to chafe and wear out ; a few are very 

 convenient to mix in with the hard paper as dryers. This herb- 

 arium may be rolled up in the blanket while travelling, and placed 

 on a pack-animal. The specimens collected along the road may 

 be kept in the crown of the hat when without a collecting-box, 

 and placed in paper at noon or at night. Great care should be 

 taken to keep the papers dry and free from mould. When there 

 is not time at noon to dry the papers in the sun, they should be 

 .dried at night by the fire, when, also, the dried specimens are 

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