A DEMONSTRATION HERBARIUM 



H. M. BENEDICT 

 University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, 0. 



The accompanying illustration shows a device which, has proved 

 a ver}^ satisfactory adjunct to laboratory work in elementary 

 botanj', as it has practically solved the problem of keeping the 

 elementary students in constant contact with a selected herbarium. 



Each of the metal frames is of the right size to contain the 

 regular mounting paper. Two momited specimens are placed 

 back to back, then placed between two glass plates, and the com- 

 bination is then slipped through the open upper end, down into the 

 metal frame. The metal frame can then be inserted in the swing- 

 ing wings. The horizontal bars of the wings have slots along the 

 upper and lower sides, in which the metal frames are securely 

 held. Since the slot in which the upper edge of the frame rests is 

 very deep, the whole frame can be lifted high enough to disengage 

 it from the lower slot and thus be easily and quickly remov ed from 

 the wing, and as easily replaced, without disturbing the other 

 frames. 



A^Tiile at present we are using but 4 wings, the pivot has room 

 for 14 more which can be added at any time, which would occupy 

 but 24 square feet of floor space and yet display 432 specimens. 

 Any number of extra frames can be made, and thus those plants 

 which are often used for class work may be permanently kept in 

 frames. By the use of a special case for holding these permanent 

 specimens, a demonstration herbarium of great convenience can 

 be provided. 



The ease and rapidity with which the mounted plants can be 

 displayed leads to a greater use of the herbarium and to a much 

 greater interest on the part of the students. Thirty minutes time 

 is sufficient to remove one demonstration and install the types 



