107 



personal observation, may be considered as so much valuable and useful 

 information, upon which one can safely rely in cases of identification, besides 

 being to such a collection the very essence of interest and attraction. 



It frequently happens that the fronds, which, when dry, are particularly 

 brittle, are injured by the constant friction to which they are exposed through 

 the various uses to which herbarium specimens are usually subjected. To 

 prevent such mishap, it will be found useful, after the specimens have been 

 fixed on the cardboard as above stated, to have them protected by a sheet 

 of tissue-paper of the same dimensions as the cardboard itself, on which it 

 should be fastened with a little gum on one side. A little camphor kept 

 in the box or drawer devoted to these dr}^ specimens, acts as a preventive 

 against a very minute insect which frequently attacks dried fronds, doing 

 incalculable mischief by perforation. It is scarcely necessary to add, that 

 these specimens must occupy a thoroughly dry place, in which they will 

 remain in perfection for an indefinite length of time. 



