10 INTRODUCTION. C9, 10. 



ria are useful in many ways : (a) for the preservation 

 of specimens of rare, inaccessible, or lost species ; 

 (6) for exchanges, enabling one to possess the flora of 

 other countries ; (c) for refreshing one's memory of 

 early scenes and studies ; (d) for aiding in more exact 

 researches at leisure ; (e) for the comparison of species 

 with species, genus with genus, etc. 



4. Apparatus. For collecting botanic specimens, a 

 strong knife for digging and cutting is needed, and a 

 close tin box, fifteen inches in length, of a portable 

 form. Inclosed in such a box, with a little moisture, 

 specimens will remain fresh a week. 



5. Specimens for the herbarium should represent 

 the leaves, flowers, and fruit and, if herbaceous, the 

 root also. Much care is requisite in so drying ..them 

 as to preserve the natural appearance, form, and color. 

 The secret of this art consists in extracting the moist>- 

 lire from them before decomposition can take place. 



6. The drying-press, to be most efficient and con- 

 venient, should consist of a dozen quires of unsized 

 paper, at least 11x16 inches folio ; two sheets of 

 wire-gauze (same size) as covers, stiffened by folded 

 edges; and three or four leather straps a yard in 

 length, with buckles. When in use, suspend this press 

 in the wind and sunshine ; or, in rainy weather, by 

 the fire. In such circumstances, specimens dry well 

 without once changing. But if boards be used instead 

 of wire-gauze, the papers must be changed and dried 

 daily. Succulent plants may be immersed in boiling 

 water before pressing, to hasten their desiccation. 



7. The lens, either single, double, or triple, is very 

 serviceable in analysis. In viewing minute flowers, 

 or parts of flowers, its use is indispensable. Together 



