COLLECTING FOR HERBARIA. 497 



'Open network of the frames allows the moisture to escape freely, while the 

 ;plants are gradually dried. 



T534. There is a mode of preparing the skeleton leaves of plants which 

 forms a very beautiful object in itself, but which is still most interesting 

 from the manner in which it exhibits the cellular system of plants, with 

 v^hich we shall conclude these remarks. 



1535. Get the leaves from the middle'of summer to September ; put them 

 in one gallon of soft water, let them soak for about a month, and theu tako 

 out a leaf and try it ; if it is ready, the green coat will rub off directly, and 

 leave the fibre. Some will take two months before they are ready ; but you 

 can always tell by rubbing the leaf in the way above described. After 

 obtaining the skeleton of the leaves, place them in one quart of water, with 

 two table-spoonfuls of chloride of lime, well mixed : let them remain about 

 twelve hours, and they will be perfectly white. Keep them in a close box 

 until you want to use them. The best and most ornamental way to mount 

 them, is to get either round or oval shades, and gilt or black stands : cover 

 the stand with velvet, black or coloured, according to taste, and then 

 arrange the leaves so as to form a pretty group when the shade is placed over 

 it : with chenille, it will be a very handsome ornament. 



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