58 THREE KINGDOMS. 



some camel-hair pencils, and / use needles mounted on 

 lucifer matches, to assist in disentangling- the mass. 



Of course we are prepared with paper cut into large 

 and small squares; and, us much of the beauty of the 

 specimens depends on the quality of the paper, it should 

 be fine, and at the same time stout, almost as good as 

 d ra wing-paper . 



Now float a piece of weed in fresh water; if very 

 dirty or sandy, w^ash it first, and in renewed water float 

 it on a piece of paper supported by your left hand, whilst 

 with your right hand you arrange the plant in a natural 

 manner, using a mounted needle or porcupine-quill, and 

 thinning out the superabundant branches with a fine- 

 pointed pair of scissors. When the specimen is placed 

 as you like it, cautiously raise the paper that the position 

 of the plant be not altered, and let it rest somewhere with 

 sloping inclination, that the moisture may run off whilst 

 other, specimens are treated in the same way. 



Do not leave them long thus, for they must be 

 pressed before the paper is dry. 



A convenient traveling-press consists of two pieces of 

 deal board about two feet long and one foot \vide, a 

 couple of quires of white-brown paper, and a double 

 strap. Lay blotting-paper between the coarser paper, 

 and you can strap them closely and carry your sea-weed 

 very safely in your hand 



In drying them, you must have old linen or fine mus- 

 lin, old and soft, to lay upon the weed and prevent it 

 sticking to the upper paper, but do not leave it beyond a 

 day or so, lest it leave chequered marks upon the surface 

 of the weed, especially those with broad fronds, like 

 Delesseria. 



Experience will give the best lessons. Some sea- 

 weeds, such as Meloyloia, which are glutinous, must not 



