676 



of the size of Sedum Telephium, GeraniumSj &c. ; and the octavo 

 for all such small species as the Arenarias, Saxifrages and Sedums : 

 in this way only one specimen is put upon each piece of paper. I 

 have then a sheet of coarse stiflf cartridge paper for each species, about 

 a fourth of an inch larger every way than the other sheets : within 

 this is laid the specimen or specimens glued to the other paper, with 

 the station, date, or any other particulars, written on the latter ; then 

 on the lower left hand comer of the sheet I write the name of the spe- 

 cies, and include all belonging to the same genus in another rather 

 larger sheet, on which are written the name of the genus, class, order &c. 

 The genera may be arranged according to the system adopted by the 

 collector, and made up in tolerably small bundles, according to Mr. 

 King's plan, but not hound at the back, but secured instead by strings, 

 or straps and buckles, at each side : this mode of arranging a herba- 

 rium I find to be the most convenient for reference and enlargement, 

 as well as the most economical, and the collection admits of being 

 laid much smoother and flatter than if the leaves of paper were all 

 of one size. It is desirable sometimes to have specimens loose for 

 examination ; indeed this is almost the only recommendation urged 

 in favour of having them only partially fastened to the paper : in all 

 doubtful or interesting plants it is very necessary to have at least the 

 most essential parts loose ; and a piece of paper, folded somewhat like 

 a letter-envelope, and fastened by a wafer or a little gum to any part 

 of the inside of the species-sheet , should always contain the flowers 

 and fruit of the Umbelliferse, Carices, Cruciferae, &c. &c. '— Thomas 

 EdmonstoUj jun, ; Balta Sound, Shetland, June 15, 1843. 



339. Note on drying Plants for the JHerbarium. As I am on the 

 subject of herbaria, allow me a few words on the drying of plants ; 

 however simple the operation, it is one by no means well understood. 

 I shall mention the way which in my hands seems to take up least 

 time and trouble, and to dry plants more perfectly than any other I 

 have made trial of. It appears to me that one cause of our seeing so 

 many imperfectly and clumsily dried specimens, is from botanists not 

 using enough paper between the layers of specimens, and fi'om not 

 applying sufficient pressure at first. I never employ less than twelve 

 sheets of thick absorbent paper for any plants, twenty-four for strong 

 or succulent species, and a board between every layer or two of spe- 

 cimens ; the weight at first ought generally to be not less than two 

 cwt. This pressure very speedily expels the moisture from the plant, 

 without giving it time to shrivel up or change colour : the specimens 

 Jie in this way one, or perhaps two, days, and are then taken out and 



