JANUARY. 9 
of lead kept for the purpose. These materials form a good 
press, but the cushion of a chair or sofa in constant use 
answers the purpose as a temporary convenience. A proper 
botanical press is of course the best. 
Plants for drying are better gathered in the middle of the 
day, than either morning or evening when they are wet with 
dew, and if possible they should not be put into water 
before being submitted to the press, as they by that means 
imbibe much moisture, and do not retain the colour so well. 
Those must be selected for drying which have some flowers 
expanded, others gone to seed, and some of the lower 
leaves should always be preserved, and also the root, if small. 
The characteristics are often shown conspicuously in the 
seed vessel and lower leaves, so that these parts are very 
essential. If the plant be dipped in alum water, the colours 
will be better retained; some persons even recommend 
spirits of wine for the same purpose. 
If the plant be delicate, it must be laid with its flowers 
and leaves naturally spread out, between a sheet of white 
paper; if robust, the common kind will do, and then one or 
more sheets placed over, and so on till all are arranged, when 
they must be pressed. After being submitted to pressure 
for a day or two, they must be moved to fresh quires, and 
