XIV INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 



the size of the sheet of paper on which they are to be 

 finally placed. When the fronds are long, or the 

 specimen large, they may be bent so as to lie in a 

 smaller space than they otherwise could ; and if dried 

 in a certain position, will retain the form easily. It 

 is best at first to make the pressure lightly, so as to 

 alter the form of the plant if needful before it is 

 completely dried, then increase the pressure day by 

 day until the specimens are ready to remove. Ferns 

 dry quickly and easily, and may, without injury, be 

 kept in the drying-paper for some time. When, how- 

 ever, they are removed to put down finally, they 

 should be secured by little thin strips of gummed 

 paper, which is best prepared beforehand by covering 

 a sheet of note-paper with a strong solution of gum, 

 which, when dry, may be kept for a long time ready 

 for use. The thinner the slips are cut the better, so 

 as to hold the parts of the plant in their right posi- 

 tion. This plan is preferable to gumming the whole 

 plant, or portions of it, as the little slips can at any 

 time be removed with a penknife without injuring the 

 paper or book in which they are fixed, should there 

 be occasion to remove the specimen. In drying your 

 ferns, be careful to change the blotting-paper two or 

 three times a week, so as to remove any dampness, 

 and dry your paper in the sun or before the fire very 

 often. It is best to have two sets of paper, so that 

 one can be dried while the other is in use. Any ordi- 

 nary fern will be fit to put into the folio in two or 

 three weeks at most. 



In describing the forms of British ferns in this 



