128 DIRECTIONS FOR COLLECTING 



on a double thickness of newspapei", which can then be rolled up, 

 they will carry well, and will, it' necessary, keep for days. They 

 must of course be kept moderately moist, but should not be allowed 

 to get sodden. 



There are few plants of which more beautiful specimens can be 

 made than Characese, if carefully treated; and, on the other hand, 

 there are few which present a more forlorn and draggled appearance 

 when badly dried. The Nitelleae should always be " floated out " in 

 the same way as Algse ; that is, a sheet of paper placed in a vessel of 

 water, and a root or small tuft of the plant (after having been 

 washed) placed on it, and arranged as naturally as possible w4th the 

 fingers or some sharp instrument. The shallow " baths " used by 

 photographers are excellent for the purpose ; but an oblong, white 

 enamelled-iron tray about 2 inches deep is equally serviceable and 

 more portable. Failing either of these, a large dish or basin may be 

 used. A sheet of perforated zinc laid under the paper will be found 

 of great assistance in removing the specimens from the water. Good, 

 firm white printing-paper should be used for floating the specimens 

 on. In the case of dicecious species the sexes should not be mixed, 

 but either placed on separate sheets of paper, or perhaps preferably a 

 specimen of each placed side by side on the same sheet. 



When the specimen has been removed from the w^ater, it should be 

 drained, and a piece of thin calico or linen (previously washed so 

 as to have no " dressing") should be placed over it, to prevent its 

 adhering to the elrying-paper. The calico shoulel be removed when 

 the drying-paper is first changed. With the very gelatinous species 

 waxed paper should be substituted for calico. 



Most of the Characese can be put into press without " floating out," 

 'and for these a doubled sheet of thinner paper is usually sutticient, 

 bat the calico shoulel always be used. Characese require consielerable 

 pressure. A few good fruiting whorls should be kept in a test-tube 

 of spirit or other preservative for examination. 



Alg^. 



In collecting sea-weeds, the best kind of receptacle is an ordinary 

 sponge-bag. Glass bottles are dangerous companions between tide- 



