11 



be so mounted. In the case of small plants, it is well to mount 

 several specimens on a sheet. When two lar^e plants are 

 mounted together it is advisable to mount one witn the root 

 turned toward the top Ox me pag'e, which makes the bunuies 

 of mounted plants oi equai mickness throughout, /woia 

 crowding specimens into the center of the sheet. Jbeavy parts 

 should be placed near the margins, but no part should be nearer 

 than half an inch. Lare should be taken when mounting to 

 have the best side o£ each piant up. Ferns should, ot course, 

 be mounted with the sporangia showing, and beil-shaped 

 flowers with the inside of some of the corollas visible. 



ihe practice oi poisoning plants seems to be going out 

 of tavor, and tight cases with close-fitting doors depended 

 upon to keep the plants from their insect loes. it is note- 

 worthy that certain iamihes of plants, as the ferns, seem lo 

 have no charms for insects, while others, as the composites, 

 are apparenily consiacred choice tid-bits. if the plants are 

 to be poisoned, this must be done before they are mounted, 

 ihe operation is a tedious one under any circumstances. i\ 

 pretty strong solution of corrosive sublimate is used, and the 

 plants are either dipped into it or it is sprayed upon them, 

 ihey are then laid between driers until the moisture has 

 evaporated. ihe process is said to frequently discoior the 

 plants and the poison is most dangerous to handle, trom which 

 it seems probable that this method will gradually be abandoned. 

 With close cases it is possible to fumigate the plant's occasion- 

 ally alter they are mounted, with carbon bi-suiphide, which 

 effectually prevents insect depredations. 



It may be remarked in passing that too many collectors 

 are engaged in making extensive herbariums- in which ejdi 

 species is represented by a single sheet. • It is far better to 

 have fewer species and more specimens. Until one has brought 

 together many representatives of one species from different 

 parts of the country, he cannot know how much to allow tor 

 variation in his own plant. Indeed, two localities near to each 

 other will often show forms that are quite different in ap- 

 pearance. To the private individual, studying the plants 

 about him, the herbarium stocked with material that will throw 

 light upon the problems he encounters is the best for his pur- 

 pose. A wise collector will shape his collections to this end. 



