50 THREE KINGDOMS. 



merely nip off the top of a plant, and think you have a 

 specimen. Yon will, in such case, only lay up trouble for 

 yourself and others. 



Ferns require the underground parts. The Umliel- 

 liferae, Crucifcrae, Carices, and Potamoyetons must be col- 

 lected in fruit. Grasses, on the other hand, oftener need 

 the flowers. 



Generally a number of specimens will be growing 1 to- 

 gether. Of these some will be better than others. Select 

 the best; those which seem the most representative, least 

 injured in any way; good average examples of the whole. 

 If you are using the box, no special advice is necessary. 

 Lay the plants in smoothly, avoiding injury so far as 

 is possible. If the portfolio is employed, open it, and put 

 one or more pla.nts of the same species in a single sheet, 

 carefully laying them out, and then bringing down the 

 upper sheet over them. On either side put drying-papers, 

 then another species-sheet with more specimens, then 

 more driers, and so on. Never mix species on the same 

 sheet. Put with each species a field-label, stating, if 

 known, the name of the plant, and the date and place of 

 collection. To these data may usefully be added color of 

 flower, height of plant, nature of soil, and habit of 

 growth, though much of such information is best left in 

 the note-book, with reference to the specimens. 



The ultimate process of drying, upon which so much 

 depends, is, in effect, pretty much the same as the fiekl- 

 work with the portfolio, only now one uses a regular 

 press. We say a regular one; but, on second thought, we 

 should correct by saying the simplest press you can 

 make. As good as any consists of two strong, cleated 

 boards, with a weight on top. The plants are removed 

 from box or portfolio, and placed in 4heir species-sheets, 

 between driers, or wads of bibulous paper. A pile is thus 



