158 OF THE FERNS AND FLOWERING PLANTS. 



and, if breathed upon while under the microscope, will be 

 seen to curl and uncurl themselves, enfolding the spore or 

 causing it to dart on one side. 



The collector is well prepared for a botanical expedition 

 when he has furnished himself with a common gardener's 

 trowel, a strong knife (if provided with a saw so much the 

 better), and a tin vasculum, the latter larger or smaller 

 according to the probable duration of his trip, the time of 

 year, the plants likely to be met with, &c* 



If, on returning home, the flowers have closed their 

 petals, as frequently happens, it is only necessary to set 

 the roots in a basin of water, until the corollas have again 

 opened, when the roots may be roughly dried, and the 

 preservation of the plant proceeded with. Should they be 

 wet from dew or rain, when gathered, they must be laid 

 by until every trace of moisture has disappeared ; other- 



* A very useful instrument was brought under my notice, many 

 years ago, by that eminent botanist, Philip Barker Webb. The ac- 

 companying figure exhibits its general form. The total length is 

 15 inches, of which the handle occupies rather more 

 than one-third. The blade (which is triangular in shape *ig^ll4i| 

 each side of the triangle measuring seven-eighths of an 

 inch where it joins the handle) is brought to an obtuse 

 point. About midway between the two extremities, or, 

 more correctly speaking, some 4^- inches below the . 

 handle, it begins to make a gentle curve, the lower end 

 being about one inch out of the true line. One of the 

 angles forms the back of the curve. For convenience of 

 carriage it should be fitted into a stout leather case. 

 This instrument, which was Mr. Webb's invariable com- 

 panion in his numerous Alpine excursions, is of great 

 value for forcing plants from between the fissures of 

 rocks, massive tree roots, &c. ; in a word, from places 

 where the broad surface of a trowel cannot be inserted, 

 or would probably be broken, if it could be got in at all. 

 It is also useful for extracting tap roots without injury from chalk 

 or any other hard dry soil. 



If made of good material, it will last a lifetime. My own has seen 

 a good deal of rough service, but is practically in as good condition 

 as when it was made twenty years ago. — Ed. 



