COLLECTING AND PRESERVING CHAROPHYTA. 91 



COLLECTING AND PRESERVING 

 CHAROPHYTA. 



For field work the collector will do well to provide 

 himself with a substantial vasculum, a drag, and, if 

 possible, a hoe. The ordinary tin vasculum when used 

 for collecting water plants quickly becomes rusty and 

 defective unless protected by an inside coating of paint. 

 A vasculum made of zinc obviates this disadvantage. 

 A drag is a necessity where the water to be explored is 

 deep. At the same time it should be emphasized that 

 nothing can take the place of the hand where the plants 

 are within arm's reach. The hand can carefully feel 

 for, detach, and hold the roots, and these are usually 

 the toughest part of the whole plant. A specimen thus 

 held and lifted can usually be brought to the surface 

 not only undamaged, but retaining its characteristic 

 form of growth. Moreover the root forms an important 

 feature of the plant, since, in many species, the root 

 bears the curious starch bulbils which differ in shape 

 and form according to the particular species. 



When a plant is growing beyond arm's length, a small 

 garden hoe will prove a very useful assistant. If the 

 handle is made in two sections with a screw adjustment, 

 it becomes easily portable, and also provides a longer 

 reach. The blade of the hoe can get down to the roots 

 and the whole plant can be brought to the surface 

 resting on the flat of the blade. 



Where neither hand nor hoe can operate a drag is 

 necessary. This should consist of a bulb of lead about 

 from J to 1 lb. in weight, with three or more hooks 

 of strong galvanized iron wire. Wire rather than iron 

 has the very substantial advantage that it will straighten 

 out when it may have chanced to get caught in some 

 obstacle, and can thus free itself. The line should be 



