126 HEKBARIUM. 



Plants which are not very rigid, can be dried very 

 well in a book without changing, if only two or three 

 are put into a volume. Plants dry very variously ; 

 some unavoidably turn black by drying, as the Or- 

 chis and Cypripedium. Flowers in many instances 

 lose or change their colour $ those that are blue es- 

 pecially. 



After a specimen is dry, it should first be done over 

 with a solution 06 corrosive sublimate in spirits of 

 wine, one drachm to a pint, with a little camphor ; or a 

 solution of aloes, applied by means of a camel's hair 

 pencil. This proves effectual in preventing the attacks 

 of insects. It is next to be fastened to paper, which is 

 best done by means of carpenter's glue. I first used 

 a solution of gum Arabic, but specimens fastened with 

 it are very apt to get detached in a short time, especi- 

 ally if handled. Glue is much superior. As it will 

 not keep in a dissolved state any length of time, it 

 must be dissolved at the time of using, and made into a 

 thin size, which may be done by boiling a small piece 

 in water in any convenient small vessel. A few drops 

 of the solution of corrosive sublimate should be added. 

 The specimen should be held out in one hand, and the 

 size applied while warm uniformly over one side of it, 

 with the other, by means of a large camel's hair pencil. 

 It is then to be put immediately on the paper. Take 

 care to place it right the first time, otherwise the size 

 will deface the paper where is is not required ; a piece 

 of waste paper should be laid over the specimen and 

 another under the paper. In this state put it immedi- 

 ately in the pres& between two or more quires of empty 

 paper to form a bed for it, and screw the press firmly 

 upon it. Let it remain one or two minutes, and taking 

 it out remove the waste papers and apply new ones ; 

 repeat this as often as they are soiled by the size, other- 

 wise the papers will be glued together. 



The paper is usually directed to be of the folio size, 

 (the full size of a quire.) I have commonly used what 



