INSTRUMENTS FOR BOTANIZING. 123 



IT remains to make some observations on 



Instruments for botanizing and the method of preparing 

 an Herbarium. 



INSTRUMENTS. 



1. A small knife, a pair of scissors, a bodkin, a pair 

 of forceps, and a glass or microscope for dissecting 

 and examining plants. 



A bodkin may be made by fitting a piece of wood in- 

 to the sliding socket of a pencil case and inserting a 

 needle into it. 



The forceps should be a simple spring ; a strip of 

 brass or other metal bent over at a short angle like a 

 V, about 2 inches long, points i inch apart, to close by 

 pressure with the fingers like sugar-tongs. These will 

 be found very convenient. 



These several instruments should be in a pocket case* 



A simple glass of from one to two inch focus, such 

 as the watch-makers use, or a penknife with a glass in 

 the handle, as may now be obtained in the shops, will 

 answer very well. 



Pocket microscopes with a reflector to illuminate the object, 

 and adjusting- forceps, are now manufactured and sold by J. 

 Peirce, optician, Marlborough street, Boston, which are very use- 

 ful, especially in examining the grasses and mosses, besides being* 

 convenient for examining any other small interesting object. 



2. A tin box to receive those specimens, when col- 

 lected, which are afterward to be examined. A close 

 box of this kind immediately becomes full of the va- 

 pour of the plants. Further evaporation being thus pre- 

 vented, the plants are preserved fresh for days, espe- 

 cially if a few drops of water be put in with them. It 

 may be made of a flattened form so as to be carried in 

 the pocket. 



3. A portfolio, furnished with strings, containing a 

 parcel of paper like a large, thin book, to collect those 

 specimens which are to be dried and preserved. 



