113 



beyond the end of the tin, so that they can be turned down at 



'ig'ht angles to the sides and thus form a support for the lid on 



to which it can be soldered. In order to reduce the volume of 



ma. 



be packed together in ''nests/^ and the innermost tin may then 

 be used as a receptacle for paper, the appliances for soldering, 

 etc- The collector who intends to use such tins should remember 

 to learn how to solder on a lid. As the paper in this process 

 serves mainly to separate ihe specimens and to keep them in posi- 

 tion, almost any kind will answer as long as it is not too thin or 

 too soft. 



The tins are filled by one bundle being placed against one side, 

 then another against the opposite side, and the third bundle is 

 pushed in between the two; the three bundles should so fill 

 the tin that any shifting is impossible. The spirit or formalin is 

 then poured over the paper until it is thoroughly -saturated, A 

 volume of liquid up to one-sixth the capacity of the tin will be 

 found sufficient. The tins when closed must be packed in wooden 

 cases if they have to be sent long distances, but the collector may 

 prefer to open the cases and to dry the specimens in presses as 

 Boon as he finds himself under suitable eonditions. In that case 

 he will have to proceed very much as he would if the plants were 

 still fresh ; but he should remember that plants thus pressed dry 

 much more quickly and more completely. Hence they require 

 less pressure, and if dried over fire, tend to become very brittle. 



IV. The Gathering of Specimens in the Field. 



It is obvious that it is quite impracticable to put each specimen 

 into the press or spirit tube immediately after it has been taken up, 

 although this should be done in the case of exceptionally delicate 

 objects. As a rule the specimens as they are gathered are placed 

 in a receptacle as the collector goes along, and kept there until he 

 arrives at his camp at the end of the day. A portfolio with a 

 filling of sheets of paper in which the plants can be immediately 

 laid out, or a vasculum in which the plants can remain in a fresh 

 condition, may be used for this purpose. 



The vasculum. — The vasculum is a case made of tinned sheet 

 iron, longer than the maximum length of the specimens admis- 

 sible with regard to the drying outfits, elliptic in transverse 

 section, closed at both ends, and provided with a lid which turns 

 on hinges. It is generally furnished with a strap to be borne 

 over the shoulder. It is very convenient to have a partition with 

 a separate lid at one or both ends to receive small objects, and 

 particularly such as require special attention. The tins should 

 be painted some light colour so as to reduce the absorption of 

 heat. A vasculum should not be so large as to be inconvenient. 

 The specimens must be placed in the vasculum with some care so 

 that they do not get too much entangled or damaged in transit- 



He 



more than a minimum 



otetocks 



Small and deli- 



B 



