V96 



COLLECTING AND DEYING OF PLANTS. 



attached to the strap by a long string. A japanned tin box or Vascu- 

 lum is required for the reception of specimens. This should be of 

 sufficient length to receive a plant of the full size of the herbarium 

 paper ; it ought to be convex on both sides (fig. 958) ; and its capacity 



Kg. 967. 



Fig. 959. 



may vary according to the wish of the collector. In long excursions 

 "where productive localities are visited, it will be found that a vasculum 

 20 inches long, by 8 or 9 inches wide, and 5 deep, is not too large ; 

 and when it is made of thin tin it is by no means heavy. At one 

 end a good sized thickish handle should be 

 placed, and it is necessary to have wires fixed 

 at each end (a) so as to receive a strap for 

 fastening the vasculum on the shoulders. 

 The lid of the vasculum should be large, and 

 is best secured by a wire which slips into a 

 tin sheath, and so constructed as not to be 

 liable to slip out when the box is held by 

 the handle. The specimens should be put 

 into the box in a uniform manner — the flower 

 at one end, and the roots at the other ; and 

 care should be taken to have the former 

 (which should be the end where the handle is) 

 always kept on the higher position when 

 carried on the shoulders. For mosses and 

 some Alpine species of plants, a small box 

 may also be carried in the pocket. In col- 

 lecting, minute aquatic plants, as Des- 

 midiese and Diatomacess, it is necessary to have small glass bottles, 

 or test tubes, fitted in a small case. The corks should be num- 

 bered to facilitate notes being taken at the time of the locali- 



Fig. 967. Form of spade or digger. Kg. 968. Form of Vasculum or botanical box. Kg. 

 959. Fonn of Keld-book for drying specimens of plants. Fig. 960. Small field-book with 

 thin mahogany boards outside^ which are brought together by leather straps. 



