41 



SELECTION AND PRiESEEVATION FOR THE HEEBAPJUM. 



Ferns are amongst the best of all plants for preserva- 

 tion in the form of an herbarium ; for, in addition to their 

 elegant appearance when nicely dried and arranged on 

 sheets of clean white paper, they are less liable than most 

 plants to the attacks of the destructive pests in the shape 

 of insects, which commit such havoc among dried plants 

 in general. Wc must give our inexperienced readers a few 

 hints on the selection of specimens for this purpose. 



The process of drying need not be described in detail. 

 We shall merely remark, that the fronds should be dried 

 quickly, under moderately heavy pressure, among sheets 

 of absorbent paper, which are to be replaced daily, or every 

 second day, by dried sheets as long as the plants continue to 

 give out moisture. The thicker the bulk of paper placed 

 between the specimens whilst under pressure, the better. 

 Two or three changes will generally be sufficient, if the 

 paper substituted is in each case perfectly dry. 



The smaller growing kinds should be gathered, if possi- 



