1G6 OF THE FERNS AND FLOWERING PLANTS. 



first laid, absorb their moisture so rapidly as to require 

 frequent renewing. The oftener this can be done during 

 the first few days the better : indeed, the student should 

 bear in mind, that whatever trouble he gives himself in 

 this respect will be amply rewarded by the beauty and 

 durability of his specimens ; whereas a neglect of this 

 precaution will as surely meet with its penalty in their 

 discoloration and ultimate destruction by mildew and the 

 ravages of insects. 



The changing of the paper may be accomplished in the 

 following manner : — Let the bundle of plants be laid on a 

 table, and, on the operator's left hand, a pile of fresh dry 

 packets. Now let the topmost layer be lifted off the plants, 

 a blunt needle being brought into play where any part of 

 the latter is found to adhere. On the specimen thus ex- 

 posed, let a packet of dry paper be laid ; then let both 

 it and the packet on which the plant lies be slowly raised 

 up, the same precautions being taken with regard to any 

 adherent parts of the next underlying plant. The two 

 packets, with the intermediate specimen, being now turned 

 over, the dry one will of course be the lowest. The damp 

 paper must next be taken off and replaced by a fresh packet. 

 Proceeding in this manner a large pile may gradually be 

 renewed by simply laying a dry packet on each plant suc- 

 cessively, and turning it over on to the one which preceded 

 it ; and thus the whole work may be accomplished without 

 injury or disturbance to the tenderest or most delicate speci- 

 men. Last of all, the pile is covered with a final* packet, 

 and again submitted to the press. I need scarcely add that, 

 where the stoutness of a plant calls for it, several packets of 

 paper should be interposed, as was directed to be done in 

 the first instance. 



During the first week the plants must be shifted daily, 

 the succulent ones even oftener. After that, if they appear 

 to be going on well, the changes may be n ade less frequently ; 

 at the same time the operator must be very careful not to 

 remove the weights too quickly, or the consequences will be 

 most disas f rous. 



