90 OF THE MARINE ALGtE. 



phyllum, several of the Callithamnia, Polysiphoniae, &c, 

 all of which ought to be placed a second time under the 

 press before really good preparations can be hoped for. 

 Other species (as those of Wrangelia) are completely spoiled 

 by being immersed in fresh water * while in a living state, 

 as it turns them to the colour of ink. 



These untoward events may be met by giving the plants 

 a preliminary drying on some stout paper, just as they are 

 taken from the sea. To prevent the paper from wrinkling, 

 it is advisable to load the corners with weights ; or, better 

 still, to press the objects as soon as they are tolerably dry 

 between sheets of blotting paper. The fact of a few pieces 

 of the drying material clinging here and there to the Algae 

 is of no consequence, as they may be easily removed after- 

 wards by applying a little water with a soft hair pencil. 



The possibility of rearranging Algae, at a future period, 

 which have been already dried, is (as I observed just now) 

 of the last importance to botanists who can rarely visit the 

 coast, as it gives them an opportunity which they could 

 not possibly have otherwise of becoming acquainted with 

 these lovely denizens of the sea. For while mere prepara- 

 tions, however beautifully got up, can give but a very 

 imperfect picture of the plant itself, these same examples, 

 when once more acted on by water, represent very fairly 

 its original habit, and afford the student abundant material 

 for investigation. 



With no group of Algae is the caution more needed than 

 with this, to be most careful in preserving the natural habit 

 of the plant. To be led away by the mere love of the 

 beautiful, or what the operator is pleased to consider the 

 beautiful, is fatal to the prosecution of science. In the case 



* I take this opportunity of observing that, sooner or later, all 

 Marine Algse must be immersed in fresh water before the final drying. 

 If this precaution is neglected, the salt contained in their tissues will 

 absorb such an amount of moisture from the atmosphere as will 

 keep the plants in a continual state of dampness and mouldiness.— 

 Ed. 



