8 



THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



under similar conditions. To the collector of limited means it is not abso- 

 lutely requisite to be provided with a large stock of the thick absorbent 

 botanical paper, prepared for the purpose of drying plants, but a number of 

 sheets of it, or of thick blotting paper, is highly desirable. For ordinary 

 purposes a common 8-page newspaper, folded in two so as to give eight 

 thicknesses, and trimmed neatly to a uniform size of 18 by 12 inches, are 

 sufficient. Of these a large supply should be provided, as also a number of 

 similar sized pieces of stout pasteboard, and' two equally large half-inch boards. 

 The paper must all be thoroughly dry, and double the quantity should be 

 available that will be required at any one time. Having now the plants, 

 paper, boards, and weights— which may be a large stone, a few bricks, or 

 books — all ready, proceed by laying on one of the boards one or two of the 

 folded newspapers, then a sheet of absorbent paper,' and on it spread out 

 your plant as evenly and naturally as possible ; no trimming should be 

 attempted as the object is to preserve the plants with all their characteristics 

 as prominent in death as in life. If you want your specimens simply for 

 ornament you may arrange them as artistically as you know how, but these, 

 although pleasing to the eye are not botanical specimens. Sometimes with 

 refractory plants considerable difficulty is experienced in getting them to 

 assume a presentable appearance, only care and patience, with the experience 

 which comes from practice will overcome these untoward conditions. Having 

 displayed the plant to your mind cover it carefully with another sheet of 

 absorbent paper, then two or more layers of newspaper, then another sheet of 

 drying paper, on which a plant is placed and covered as before. By the time 

 half-a-dozen specimens have been thus arranged the pile will have become 

 somewhat uneven, having a tendency to bulge up in the centre. To restore 

 the level place one of the pasteboard sheets ; these are also useful as ready 

 divisions betwixt different day's collections. When the pile is complete 

 place the other board on the top and put on the weights. Along with each 

 plant should be placed a slip of paper with the name, where gathered, and 

 the date. This is of the utmost importance to avoid inextricable confusion 

 in the future when specimens accumulate. 



If the plants have been gatherered when damp, or if they are very juicy 

 and succulent, they should be looked at in 12 hours time, and the interme- 

 diate sheets of paper replaced with perfectly dry ones. In any case this should 

 not be delayed longer than 24 hours for the first change of drying paper, 

 and those taken out of the press should be thoroughly dried before using 

 again. It is only by great care and attention in this particular that success- 

 ful specimens can be produced. Experience teaches many little details which 

 add greatly to the general results, Thus if the plants are at all limp and 



