208 



THE TICTOEIAN IS'ATUEALIST. [Tol. XXIII. 



and the ripe fruit, but not necessarily on a single speci- 

 men. If this is done, the plant is shown in its succes- 

 sive stages, and a seedling or seedling leaves of such 

 plants as Acacia or Eiicalyftus should always be added to 

 the flowering specimen. It is advisable to collect two or 

 three specimens of each kind of plant, so that after 

 pressing, the best looking one can be kept for the her- 

 barium. Besides, it is as well to have duplicates for 

 purposes of exchange with other collectors. 



The specimens should be carried home either in a tin 

 box or between sheets of blotting paper in a portfolio. 

 Very small and fragile plants mav be placed between 

 the leaves of a book, and carried in the pocket. An 

 enthusiastic collector who intends to have well-pressed 

 specimens will carry a portfolio. Most plants will 

 wither very quickly if carried in the hand. 



The collecting portfolio is best made with two pieces 

 of millboard, fastened either by tape or straps. A 

 very useful size is 17 inches long bv 11 inches wide. A 

 supply of blotting or other absorbent paper must be pro- 

 vided, in sheets the same size as the paste-board covers. 



The materials required for the press are blotting paper, 

 flat boards, and weights. Any paper that is absorbent 

 will do ; some use ordinary newspaper, and good results 

 can be obtained if great care is exercised. The flat 

 boards and the sheets of paper should have the same 

 size, preferably, that of the collecting portfolio. The 

 weight to be placed on top will vary with the nature of 

 the plants, whether they are dry or succulent, and also 

 on the number being pressed. The weights generally 

 used are from 30 to 60 lbs. 



In laying out the specimens in the press, it is well to 

 use plenty of paper, so that the moisture will be quickly 

 absorbed. The paper should be quite dry. Spread the 

 specimens out carefully on the paper, crumpling the 

 leaves and flowers as little as possible. Then cover 

 v/ith .paper ; place more specimens, then paper, and so 

 en, until there are perhaps six or seven layers. Place 

 one of the flat boards on top ; then more specimens and 

 paper, until there are six or seven more layers. On top 

 of all put another flat board and then the weights. Bv 

 this method a large number of specimens can be pressed 

 at one time. Care should be taken that the specimens 

 are not put just in the middle of the paper ; they should 

 be spread evenly over the sheet to insure that every one 

 is pressed. Specimens that are too long for the paper 



