COLLECTION OF PLANTS. 49 



rasculum, is usually a flattened cylinder of any size to suit 

 the caprice of the owner. It opens through nearly the 

 whole of one side, and has a cover confined by a sliding" 

 bar. We have one small one, and another that is often 

 mistaken for a wash-boiler. Such a box may be of one 

 compartment, or divided into several. Plants, especially 

 if closely packed, will keep in it for a long time. For 

 ordinary study or school work, the box is to be preferred. 

 By it the plants are brought in fresh, and with their 

 natural contour and expression. It is well during a jour- 

 ney to sprinkle them with water now and then. Prob- 

 ably the largest and best collections are made by means 

 of the portfolio. This consists essentially of two binder's 

 boards of standard size, 17x12 in. that is a little larger 

 than the sheets upon which the plants are subsequently 

 to be mounted. These should be covered with enameled 

 cloth, and left free; that is, not connected by the back in 

 the manner of a book. Around them must pass a couple 

 of straps, held in place, and by which pressure can be 

 brought to bear on the contained papers. Within these 

 covers we have the field-folios, or sheets of bibulous 

 paper, with here and there a regular drier to give firm- 

 ness to the whole. So much for putfit. We must now 

 state how our apparatus is to be used. The first thing 

 is to select your plants. Beginners make the mistake of 

 collecting things that are too young perhaps with a 

 fellow-feeling for the inexperienced. Be patient! Wait 

 till the plants are well in flower, and if possible, even 

 partly in fruit. If you cannot get fruit and flower to- 

 gether, visit the locality again for the former. At any 

 rate, always secure it. The fruit is often essential to the 

 identification of a plant. In the same way one must havt 

 '<he underground parts, roots, tubers, root-stocks, etc., 

 paring' these down if too bulky. Do not, on any account, 

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