Hints to the Young Botanist. 129 



1. A good stout poclcet-spud or digger^ made of steel, and fur- 

 nished with a slightly curved wooden handle, pierced to allow a 

 string to pass through, whereby it may be attached to a strap or 

 belt round the waist. It will often be found useful in digging out 

 roots and detaching plants from the crevices of rocks. If it be 

 not obtained, a very good substitute is a strong broad knife, whicb 

 may be sharp on both edges, and introduced into a leatlier sheath 

 made for the purpose. It will also serve to cut the branches of 

 shrubs and trees. 



2. A Vasculum or Tin Box, for the purpose of carrying plants. 

 This should be of sufficient dimensions lo hold full sized specimens. 

 A proper sized vasculum should be from 17 to 20 inches long, 

 ^ to 9 inches wide and about 5 inches deep, and convex on the 

 sides, so as to give more room within. The lid should be of large 

 size and well secured against accidental opening. Two loops may 

 be placed on the lower surface to receive a strap, by means of 

 which the box may be carried on the back or side. A vasculum 

 of smaller size may also be carried for the purpose of receiving 

 more delicate plants, Ferns, Mosses, &c. 



3. A Botanical Field Book will always be found convenient to 

 preserve plants with very delicate flowers or leaves. It consists 

 of two boards, between which is placed a quantity of absorbent 

 paper in folded sheets, forming from twelve to twenty-four layers. 

 The plants are carefully placed between these layers of paper, and 

 subjected to immediate pressure by means of leather straps at- 

 tached to the boards. The field Book may be made of any size 

 to suit the fancy of collector. An ordinary portfolio containing 

 bibulous paper will answer equally well, provided a uniform pres- 

 sure can be applied to the plants. 



4. A Pocket Lens or small magnifying glass will sometimes be 

 of use in examining the fruit of Ferns, Mosses, &c., as well as the 

 very delicate fresh-water Algoe and microscopic Fungi. It should 

 therefore be in every botanical traveller's pocket. 



In collecting botanical specimens, it should be made a rule, 

 that, as far as practicable, the entire plant should be taken with 

 its root, stem, leaves and flowers. The specimen cannot be said 

 to be perfect without the fruit and seed ; hence, should these not 

 be obtained when the plant is in full flower, they can be gathered 

 at a later season. If the plant be too large to be taken entire, it 

 will suffice to possess a flowering branch, the fruit and some well 

 formed leaves. In this case, the collector should observe the 



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