74 collectok's manual 



being left at the right-hand lower corner for the label, when the 

 specimen is mounted in the museum. 



Ferns of moderate size may be prepared similarly. In all cases, 

 dirt should be shaken from the roots, or, if necessary, washed out. 

 Fine-leaved plants growing in water ordinarily collapse in a 

 tangled mass when taken bodily from water, but usually they 

 may be floated out gently on paper, if time permits. 



In the case of woody plants, a branch about a foot long (or 

 several shorter branches) bearing flowers or fruit (preferably 

 both), besides leaves, should be collected, care being taken to 

 place loose fruits in envelopes within the folder, or, if bulky, to 

 wrap them in separate packages, carefully labeled. 



The coarser seaweeds may be dried like flowering plants, but 

 the delicate kinds with fine threadlike divisions must be patiently 

 floated out on paper in sea water. Lichens and mosses should be 

 taken only when in fruiting condition, and dried under much 

 less pressure than flowering plants and ferns. 



The usual plant press consists of (1) two slightly flexible lattice- 

 like frames measuring 12 b} T 17 inches, made from slats of ash 

 or some other tough wood, (2) driers (thick blotting papers) of 

 the same size, and (3) a pair of strong web trunk straps. 



On return to base from a collecting trip the specimens must 

 be transferred from portfolio to press as speedily as possible, 

 especially during hot weather. Begin with the specimen first 

 collected. Transfer it to a dry newspaper folder like your col- 

 lecting sheet, at the same time straightening the leaves or flowers 

 if necessary, possibly removing portions so that all parts may be 

 seen. Give the specimen a serial number; write this on the out- 

 side of the folder and on am r other folders containing additional 



