68 OF THE FILAMENTOUS ALGJ2. 



cross bars. I mention the plan, but have had no experience 

 of it. — Ed.] 



The plants are then to be subjected to the pressure of 

 three or four bricks. I consider bricks to be preferable to 

 stones or iron weights, on account of the handiness of their 

 form and the ease with which the pressure may be regu- 

 lated. For cleanliness sake they should be wrapped in 

 paper or linen ; it is advisable also to sling them by cross 

 pieces of string with a loop in the centre. 



Many botanists prefer an ordinary linen press to any 

 of these things, but such an apparatus is not always to be 

 found when wanted. 



[Others again give the preference to a form of press, such 

 as is represented at fig. 82, Plate xv. 



As the reader will observe, cross-beams of wood enclose 

 the boards used for drying, and are held together by four 

 upright iron rods. The requisite degree of pressure is 

 given by tightening or loosening the screws, which are 

 placed at the top of the rods. — Ed.] 



After about twenty-four hours the preparations may be 

 examined, and in case they are not dry, must have the 

 blotting paper changed, and be again placed underpressure. 

 A week will frequently elapse before the plants are fit to 

 be put away in the herbarium. It is the nature of almost 

 all Algae, when they are drying, to cling closely to the paper 

 on which they lie, and the use of the stearine paper is to 

 prevent this from taking place during the time the plants 

 are being pressed. In my opinion, it is far better for the 

 purpose than oiled paper, which was much in vogue at one 

 time, as the latter is apt to leave spots and marks on the 

 white paper to which the specimens are attached. Now, 

 stearine does not sully the objects with which it comes in 

 contact ; and as the material itself is cheap and easily pre- 

 pared, it is much to be preferred to paper impregnated 

 with either oil or wax. 



To get it ready for use, let fragments of a stearine candle 

 be rasped into shreds and strewn equally over a sheet of 



