548 COLLECTING AND PRESERVING SPECIMENS 



inch from where the bottom should be. Place the box on a board and 

 fill with sand till the net is just covered with a thin layer of sand ; upon 

 this layer of sand, place a layer of flowers, on that a layer of sand, 

 then flowers, and so on ; the layers of sand should vary in thickness 

 according to the kind of flowers, from one-eighth to one-fourth inch. 



When the box contains about three layers of flowers, it must be 

 removed to a very sunny dry place, the best being close under the glass 

 in an empty greenhouse, exposed to the full influence of the sun. After 

 a week, if the weather is sunny and dry, the flowers will be perfectly 

 dried ; then the box is lifted a little, the sand falls gently through the 

 iron net, and the flowers remain in their position over the net without 

 any disturbance whatever. 



They should then be taken out carefully and kept in a dry and, if 

 possible, dark place, where no sun can reach them, and afterwards 

 they will keep very well for many years. 



Care should be taken that the flowers are cut in dry weather, and 

 that while lying in the sand no part of a flower shall touch another part, 

 as this always spoils the color and causes decay. Sand should be 

 filled in between all the parts of the flower ; therefore it is necessary 

 to insert the double flowers in an erect position, in order to fill the sand 

 between the petals, while most of the single flowers must be put in 

 with the stalks upwards. 



PRINTING PLANTS. 1. First, lightly oil one side of paper, then 

 fold in four, so that the oil may filter through the pores, and the plant 

 may not come into direct contact with the liquid. The plant is placed 

 between the leaves of the second folding, and in this position pressed 

 (through other paper) all over with the hand, so as to make a small 

 quantity of oil to adhere to its surface. Then it is taken out and 

 placed between two sheets of white paper for two impressions, and 

 the plant is pressed as before. Sprinkle over the invisible image 

 remaining on the paper a quantity of black lead or charcoal, and dis- 

 tribute it in all directions ; the image then appears in all its parts. 

 With an assortment of colors the natural colors of plants may be 

 reproduced. To obtain fixity, rosin is previously added to the black 

 lead in equal parts. Expose to heat sufficient to melt the rosin. 



2. The best paper to use is ordinary wove paper, without water- 

 marks ; if it can be afforded, use thin drawing-paper. First select the 

 leaves, then carefully press and dry them. If they be placed in a plant 



