6 OF THE ALGiE GENERALLY. 



of carriage, the teeth of the rake may be enclosed in * a 

 wooden channel (just as a crosscut saw is generally 

 carried), and the rope tied round and round it. It is a 

 mistake to fix the rake into a long handle (as is sometimes 

 done), not solely on account of the difficulty of transport, 

 but because it can only be used in water of moderate 

 depth. Moreover, it is by no means easy to fix the in- 

 strument with sufficient firmness into the wooden handle, 

 and it is consequently liable to be lost, if it meets with an 

 obstruction of more than ordinary size. 



5. A sufficient quantity of oiled paper, or some similar 

 material, such as waxed cloth, or india-rubber or gutta- 

 percha sheeting, in which to fold up the specimens, and 

 prevent the water from draining out. Several small 

 parcels can be packed in a larger piece of sheeting, and 

 these again placed in a bag, to be carried across the 

 shoulders. 



6. A number of small bottles with wide mouths, for 

 the purpose of holding Diatomacese, and similar minute 

 specimens. Cork stoppers are to be preferred to glass, 

 as the latter are apt to get loose and fall out from the 

 constant friction of sandy particles, whose presence it is 

 impossible to avoid. Besides, glass stoppers make the 

 bottles both heavier and more expensive, without any 

 corresponding return. The bottles may be safely carried 

 in the breastpocket of a coat — that is, for short expeditions. 

 For longer journeys, and on occasions where many bottles 

 must be carried, it is .best to provide a kind of knapsack, 

 not too large, in which they may be laid, one against the 

 other. To prevent shaking or breaking, some paper or 

 strips of pasteboard may be laid between each bottle. 



7. Lastly, it is of the utmost importance to be pro- 

 vided with a good lens, or a pocket -microscope, so as 

 to be able to distinguish in a moment, and on the spot, 

 useless from useful matter. 



There is no need to recommend a stout walking-stick 

 and a pocket-knife, as no sensible botanist would think of 



