804 HINTS AS TO ALPINE TRAVELLING. 



. Seeds, when sent from abroad, should be collected perfectly ripe 

 and dry, and if possible kept in their entire seed-vessels. Small seeds 

 may be folded in cartridge paper, and should be kept in a cool and 

 airy place during transport. Large seeds and oily seeds, which lose 

 their germinating power speedily, are best transported in earth. A 

 box about 10 inches square, with the sides f of an inch thick, answers 

 well. In this may be put alternate layers of earth and seeds, the 

 whole being pressed firmly together. Living plants are best trans- 

 ported in Wardian cases, and seeds or fruits may also be scattered in 

 the earth of the cases. Bulbs and rhizomes not in a state of vegeta- 

 tion, cuttings of succulent plants, as aloes and cactuses, and the pseudo- 

 bulbs of Orchideous plants, may be put into a box or barrel with dry 

 moss, sand, peat, or sawdust. 



Hints as to (he Preparations to he made for Alpine Travelling, particu- 

 la/rly in /Switzerland, partly tahen from,' Wills' "Wanderings on the 

 High Alps." 



A botanical trip for six weeks in Switzerland, includiag the 

 expense of going and coming, need not cost more than twelve shillings 

 a-day. In a pedestrian tour the traveller must be as lightly equipped 

 as possible ; at the same time he must so provide as to have a change 

 of dress in case of wet weather. The Botanist must send his heavy 

 portmanteau and his drying paper, with boards, ropes, and rack-pin, to 

 different points by railway or post. During his alpine rambles he will 

 find that he can only carry his box, spade, field-book, alpenstock, and 

 light waterproof. His knapsack, while he is lotanising, must be carried 

 by a porter. He should, however, be prepared on an emergency to 

 carry all his alpine baggage with him, more especially when passing 

 from one station to another by some beaten track, where few plants are 

 to be expected. A large party will find it convenient and economical 

 to hire a horse for the conveyance of their knapsacks. 



The articles required are as follows : — 



A light waterproof knapsack, which will bear rough usage, about 

 14 inches long, 10 inches broad, and 3| inches deep, with two light 

 straps at the top to hold a very light waterproof, and a stout leather 

 handle by which to carry it, if necessary. The straps for the shoulders 

 should be broad. One of the shoulder straps shoidd end in a ring, and 

 a hook should be fastened on the lower edge of the knapsack to receive 

 it. By this contrivance the knapsack is easily taken off. The whole 

 apparatus ought not to weigh above 2 lbs. 



Good shoes, large, so as to allow for the swelling of the feet, the 

 soles from |ths to fths of an inch thick, studded with stout nails, not 

 too thickly. They should be worn with gaiters, so as to keep out dust, 

 stones, etc. 



