APPARATUS REQUIRED FOR DRYING PLANTS. 



619 



or 8 inches long (fig. 831) ; the spud 2 inches long, 2| inches wide at the 

 top, narrowing gradually to 2 inches at the bottom, the 

 lower angles slightly rounded. This can be put into a 

 leather sheath, and fastened by a strap round the waist, 

 the spade itself being attached to the strap by a long string. 

 A japanned tin box or Vasculum is required for the recep- 

 tion of specimens. This should be of sufficient length to 

 receive a plant of the full size of the herbarium paper ; it 

 ought to be convex on both sides (fig. 832); and its capa- 

 city may vary according to the wish of the collector. In 

 long excursions, where productive localities are visited, it 

 will be found that a vasculum 20 inches long, by 8 or 9 

 inches wide, and 5 deep, is not too large ; and when it is 

 made of thin tin, it is by no means heavy. At one end a 

 good sized thickish handle should be placed, 

 and it is necessary to have wires fixed at 

 each end so as to receive a strap for fasten- 

 ing the vasculum on the shoulders. The lid 

 of the vasculum should be large, and is best 

 secured by a wire which slips into a tin 

 sheath, and so constructed as not to be liable 

 to slip out when the box is held by the handle. For mosses and some Alpine 

 species of plants, a small box may also be carried in the pocket. Many plants 

 will not bear transport; their flowers fall off easily, and they are so delicate 

 that their foliage becomes shrivelled. In such instances it is best to put them 

 at once into paper. This is managed by having a small Field-book (fig. 833), 

 which may be put into the pocket or suspended 

 round the neck, secured by straps so as to give 

 pressure, and with an oil-cloth-covering which 

 may be used in wet weather. This field-book 

 may be made with two thin mahogany boards on 

 the outside. 



1204. The Paper for drying should be mo- 

 derately absorbent, 18 inches long by 11 broad, 

 and arranged in parcels containing not less than 

 four sheets. The paper which is used exten- 

 sively in Scotland is made by Mr. Weir, Queen- 533 

 Street, Glasgow. In many respects the Edin- 

 burgh botanists prefer it to Bentall's. It is of considerable thickness, absorbs 

 moisture rapidly, but does not become too moist, and dries easily. A very thiu 

 kind of paper, called crown-tea-paper, is used for holding very delicate plants, 

 which cannot be easily transferred from one paper to another during drying. 

 After being carefully laid out in the folds of this paper, they are placed between 

 the sheets of drying paper, and when the paper is changed they are transferred 

 at once in their thin cover without being disturbed. 



1205. In order that pressure may be given. Boards are requisite. These 

 should be exactly the size of the drying paper. Some of them are used for 



Fig. 831. Digger or spade used for botanical purposes, 7 or 8 inches long. 

 Fig. 832. Form of large vasculum or botanical box, convex on both sides, and about 20 inches 

 long. 

 Fig. 833. Form of field-book containing paper for pressing plants during an excursion. 



