THE HERBARIUM. 213 



then iv> better condition than if wet. If the plant is 

 small, the whole of it, root and all, should be taken up ; 

 if too large to be treated in this way, a flower and one or 

 two of the leaves (radical as well as cauline, if these be 

 different) may be gathered. 



As many of your specimens will be collected at a 

 distance from home, a close tin box, which may be slung 

 over the shoulder by a strap, should be provided, in which 

 the plants may be kept fresh, particularly if a few drops 

 of water be sprinkled upon them. Perhaps a better way, 

 however, is to carry a portfolio of convenient size say 15 

 inches by 10 inches made of two pieces of stout paste- 

 board or thin deal, and having a couple of straps with 

 buckles for fastening it together. Between the covers 

 should be placed sheets of blotting-paper or coarse 

 wrapping-paper, as many as will allow the specimens to 

 be separated by at least five or six sheets. The advantage 

 of the portfolio is, that the plants may be placed between 

 the sheets of blotting-paper and subjected to pressure by 

 means of the straps as soon as they are gathered. If carried 

 in a box, they should be transferred to paper as soon as pos- 

 sible. The specimens should be spread out with great care, 

 and the crumpling and doubling of leaves guarded against. 

 The only way to prevent moulding is to place plenty of 

 paper between the plants, and change the paper frequently; 

 the frequency depending on the amount of moisture con- 

 tained in the specimens. From ten days to a fortnight 

 will be found sufficient for the thorough drying of almost 

 any plant you^ are likely to meet with. Having made a 

 pile of specimens with paper between them, as directed, 

 they should be placed on a table or floor, covered by a flat 



