2-0 HOW TO DRY PLANTS. 



paper, so that their moisture may be quickly absorbed, 

 and the danger of mould avoided. The specimens should 

 be laid between the sheets of drying paper in as natural 

 a position as may be, taking- care not to crumple the 



FIG. 206. Collecting Portfolio. 



leaves or flowers. If the specimens be too long for the 

 paper, they may be carefully folded or cut in two. Deli- 

 cate flowers should be carefully folded in paper when 

 gathered, and kept flat. Do not arrange every specimen 

 just in the middle of the paper, but dispose them in such 

 a way, that were a pile of them in their papers raised two 

 feet high they would not topple over : this will equalize 

 the pressure. Several dry sheets ought to be laid between 

 each layer of fresh specimens, the quantity of paper de- 

 pending upon the thickness and succulence of the plants 

 to be pressed. Pasteboards, or, better still, " ventilators '' 

 (made the size of the paper, of narrow strips of deal at 

 short distances apart, nailed together in two layers at 

 right angles to each other, as shown in the cut, Fig. 207), 

 may be introduced at intervals between the layers of 

 paper until the pile be ready for the press, which may 

 consist simply of two stout boards, made so that they 

 cannot bend or warp. Between these boards the paper 

 and specimens must be placed, and a weight of stones or 

 metal, not less than 50 Ibs. or 60 Ibs., laid upon the top. 



