HOW TO GATHER THEM. 247 



together firmly by two or three ordinary India-rubber 

 elastic bands. You are now fitted for a botanical excur- 

 sion, either by yourself, or with a friend, or in company 

 with the nearest Field Naturalists' Club. In selecting 

 your plants, choose the most perfect specimen, and 

 dig up the root as entire as possible, so that you may 

 have root, stem, leaves, flower, and, if possible, the fruit 

 of every plant complete. Gently shake the super- 

 abundant earth away, and lay your specimen between 

 two or three sheets of your blotting-paper. Do this 

 carefully and at once, as many plants wither and curl 

 in a few minutes after being gathered, though others 

 will remain without injury for hours. The plant 

 should be laid flat, so as to preserve all its natural 

 characteristics, and in order to do this it will be need- 

 ful to break off" some of the superabundant foliage 

 and stems. On returning home, it will be necessary 

 to complete the drying of the plants, to ensure their 

 complete preservation. All that is requisite, is a 

 little care and a few strips of wood, a supply of 

 porous paper, and if blotting-paper is not available, 

 old newspapers will answer the purpose. Two or 

 three straps with buckles will be required, to press 

 the boards tight. The outside board should first be 



