126 HOW TO KNOW THE FERNS 



together, and prevent them from moving 

 when the Fern fronds are in position. In the 

 the first place, two or three thicknesses of the 

 paper should be spread on one of the boards. 

 Now take the same number of sheets, and 

 start to place these over the frond. Starting 

 at the tip of the leaf the divisions should be 

 carefully spread out in such a way that the 

 frond as a whole is well displayed. To keep 

 the frond in position it may be useful to put 

 a book on the paper as it is spread out. A 

 number of fronds may be accommodated 

 between the two boards in this way, but it is 

 important to have two or three pieces of the 

 drying paper between each specimen. When 

 all the fronds have been spread out in the 

 manner indicated the uppermost board is put 

 on the top of the layers of paper, and by 

 means of the straps the pieces of wood are 

 drawn together. A very small amount of 

 pressure should be employed in the first 

 instance, and a few light books on the topmost 

 board will be all-sufficient. 



After about twenty-four hours the fronds 

 may be examined. They are still compara- 

 tively supple, and any misplaced pinnae may 

 be re-arranged without any difficulty. In any 

 case, fresh pieces of drying paper must now 

 be used, and on to these the fronds are placed. 

 It will be found that as a whole they assume 

 a flat position, and are very easily handled. 

 A little stiff brush, or the end of a hairpin, 

 will be found very useful at this stage to help 

 in the working out of any refractory pinnae. 

 The pressing is carried out in the same manner 

 as before, only if it is decided to make this 

 the final stage of the process, the weights 

 should be heavier. In the case of very com- 



