168 THE MICROSCOPE. Nov. 



pared them in very much the same manner. It is best 

 to cut away the thick veins, ribs, stems, and portions of 

 the leaves or plants that are useless or not affected. 

 When small save all of the leaf, stem, plant, &c. 



I place my specimens between very porus white 

 blotting paper, and do not subject them to any degree of 

 pressure for fear of injuring the fungi. I air them 

 every day. I think this is necessary. Some leaves 

 upon which the fungi grow need this oftener than 

 daily. 



When perfectly dry I place them in any tight envel- 

 ope of proper size that fits the specimen and keep these 

 in a tight box. When needed for study or comparison, I 

 use the specimens as any ordinary opaque object. 



Should one label them, which I think necessary, the 

 date, locality, and collector's name should accompany the 

 specimen. I write on my labels the name of the plant 

 exactly as a botanist would, in fact I first label the plant 

 botanically, then write the name of the fungus. 



In collecting it is well to "git a plenty when you are 

 a-gittin'," for you may wish duplicates to exchange. I 

 think it well to deposit samples of each in some per- 

 manent institution, such as, Experiment Stations, Univer- 

 sities, Colleges, &c., where tliey can be had for future 

 reference and study. This course may also bring your- 

 self before the learned to some extent and the acquantance 

 of one or more of these people is well worth the trouble 

 of collecting and preparing a few specimens. Corres- 

 ponding acquantance is worth much to a student. Many 

 new hints and helps may be gained while you may help 

 someone else more than you realize. 



Diphtheria is prevailing- to an unusual degree in London, 

 the mortality from the disease during the first week in 

 October having been greater than that of any week this 

 year. 



