THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 251 



of growth may be preserved. Upon the specimens lay two leaves of 

 blotting-paper, and upon them a plate of zinc, which should be 

 slightly warmed. Our plates of zinc are the size of a quarter ot a 

 eheet of blotting-paper, and cost threepence each. Zinc is prefer- 

 able to tin, as being thicker and cheaper. Proceed in this manner 

 with as many specimens as your sheets of zinc will allow ; then, 

 placing a sheet of the metal under the pile, load it with weights, or 

 apply any other pressure that may be convenient ; the common 

 screw press used for table linen is very effectual. Let the plants 

 remain thus for a fortnight or three weeks, at the end of which time 

 most of them will be sufficiently dried and pressed. Bog and water 

 plants require even a longer time. 



• Next, as to the size of the paper upon which the specimens are 

 to be fastened. The very large paper gives room for splendid speci- 

 mens, but, unless they be crowded together, it is rather extravagant ; 

 and upon the whole we prefer the foolscap size— it is easy, even with 

 the grasses, so to arrange the specimens as to exhibit each part to 

 advantage. We have classed our plants according to the Lmnaean 

 svstem, adding the Jussieuan order to the name of each plant ; we 

 w"ould therefore recommend that the name and number oi the 

 Linnsean class be written on the head of each page. Having care- 

 fully taken your plants out of the blotting-paper, lay each upon the 

 page where it is to remain, and with a little gum fasten the tips ot 

 the leaves, the end of the stalk or roots, and such parts of the flowers 

 as may require it, to the paper. We strongly recommend gum 

 tragacanth for this operation ; it is more expensive than gum acacia, 

 but it is neater, stronger, and less troublesome to prepare Care 

 must be taken not to dissolve too much at one time, as, when not 

 occasionally warmed, it becomes mouldy. It should never be boiled, 

 but dissolved gradually in an earthen or a glass jar. _ 



Having gummed the specimens to the paper, it remains to alhx 

 the names, which ought to be done thus, upon a slip of paper to be 

 placed across the lower part of the stalk : — 

 Parnassian palustris. 

 Grass of Parnassus. 

 Order 4. Linn. 

 Nat. Ord. Hypericineae. 

 Wbere gathered. 

 Day of the month. 



Thus the habitat and the time of the year at which the plant flowers 



are easily remembered or referred to. 



It is necessary to dry the blotting-paper thoroughly alter it has 



been used, both in the air and by the fire ; if the least dampness 



remains in it, the next specimens for which it is used will become 

 mouldy. The zinc also should be wiped and well dried, and it the 

 eame can be done about once in a week while the plants are drying, 

 without disturbing their a. range merit, the process will be expedited. 

 Of course the plants must be placed upon the writing-paper, on 

 one side of the leaf only. We assure most of our young readers 

 who are inclined to follow our example in forming a Hortus biccus ot 



August. 



