112 THE FERNS AND 



In mounting the dried specimens, it is a mistake to put them in a 

 ready-bound book, as it becomes almost impossible to arrange them 

 satisfactorily. Good stiff white paper of about the same size as the 

 drying sheets should be employed, and not more than a single 

 species be fastened to each sheet. Many adhesive substances are 

 used to attach plants to paper, of -which some are good, while others 

 are decidedly bad. To the latter class belong gum-arabic, the 

 common mucilage of the shops, and flour paste. Specimens fastened 

 by the first are very apt to start from the paper, the second has often 

 very little adhesive power, while the third forms a direct inducement 

 to mites to establish themselves on the collection. A fair gum may 

 be made, however, by adding a few fragments of gum tragacanth to 

 the ordinary mucilage. But the best substance which can be 

 employed is a strong jelly made of gelatine, or — ^as a cheaper and 

 equally effective substitute — Russian or gelatine gliie. This is made 

 by soaking the glue in a little water, and standing it in a warm 

 comer for a few hours ; the jelly thvis formed is ready for use at 

 any time by simply placing the vessel containing it in a bowl of 

 boiling water. If wanted to be kept, a few drops of creosote or oil 

 of cloves should be added while it is liquid. Strong jelly so made 

 will keep in summer for two or three weeks, and much longer in 

 winter, if sufficient creosote be added ; but if decay has set in, or any 

 mould commences to grow, the whole should be rejected at once, as 

 its adhesive powers will be found to be seriously affected. Too much 

 of the glue should not be applied to the side of the specimen which 

 is to be downwards, as it is a great blemish to have your ferns all 

 smudged and shiny. The stronger the glue, the less will be required 

 to fasten the specimens. Long straggling stipes and other loose 

 parts should be fastened down with thin strips of tough paper, 

 foreign note being about the best. Each specimen should have its 

 name clearly written on the sheet, together with locality and date of 

 gathering, and any remarks on the habitat which may be considered 

 worthy of note. The sheets should be placed together in a suitable 

 portfolio, or in a specially-constructed herbarium case. 



For a hundred persons in the colony who make collections of dried 

 ferns, it would probably be difficult to find one who goes in for 

 cultivation of the living plants. The taste has not sprung up yet. 



