'52 



but it is expensive to use on a large scale) and about fifteen by 

 twenty inches in size is then laid on the smooth side of the first 

 frame and on this the specimen to b9 dried laid out as smoothly as 

 possible. Alternate layers of plants and paper are continued until 

 there are as many as it is desired to dry, or as may be considered 

 sufficient for one press. On this pile, the other frame is now 

 placed, smooth side to the paper, and with a long piece of string 

 the two frames are bound together by means of the ends of the 

 transverse bars. Sufficient pressure can be brought to bear to 

 prevent any plant from shriveling, and this is all that is required. 

 These presses are easily portable and can be placed in the sun or 

 near a fire. 



Where the means of manufacturing such frames do not exist I 

 have often at a pinch made a serviceable imitation with split bamboo 

 tied together with rattans or other jungle creepers. Ordinary 

 straw coloured Chinese paper, such as is used by every Chinese 

 shopkeeper, can also be used where no other is available, but it is 

 necessary to use plenty of it and change often. With thick, spe- 

 cially prepared drying paper, two pieces between each layer of 

 plants is generally sufficient, but with Chinese four or five at least 

 are necessary. During the first few days the papers should be 

 changed at least once a day and those that have been in use 

 thoroughly dried before being used a second time, but the same 

 paper may be used over and over again for months. 



A great difference in the time required for drying will be found 

 in the case of different plants, some things, such as Ferns, can be 

 dried in less than a week, while soft fleshy things, such as Arums, 

 unless dipped in spirits of wine or boiling water, will, by sun heat 

 alone, take three times as long. If many specimens are being 

 dried it is a good plan to examine the bundles at least once a week, 

 and to put in one bundle those that are in nearly the same stage 

 of dryness. 



Attention to a few simple rules will ensure success in drying 

 plants. 



Do not put too many specimens in one press. Use plenty of 

 paper. Change the paper often during the first few days. Keep 

 the presses in the full sun or some other dry place. To dry quick- 

 ly is the important point, and in very wet weather this cannot be 

 done without fire heat. When quite dry the specimens may be 

 kept between sheets of any kind of paper or gummed down on 

 half sheets of stout white paper in the manner usual in botanical 

 establishments. Equal parts of gum arabic and gum tragacanth 

 dissolved in cold water is more convenient for this purpose than 

 glue, which is generally recommended, as it is always ready for use 

 and does equally well. The gum should be applied to the speci- 

 men with a camel hair brush after which it is laid on the paper and 

 kept in position with gentle pressure until dry. The size of the 

 sheets used in most herbariums is seventeen by eleven and a half 

 inches and this is a convenient size. 



To preserve from the ravages of insects each specimen should 

 be brushed over with a solution consisting of spirits of wine, Cal- 



