THE YOUNG NATUBALIST. 



33 



left between each specimen, and the book was fall, it was wrapped up in a 

 handkerchief and placed in the pocket. A good day's collecting in this way 

 would fill about four books. Larger and coarser specimens were placed in 

 the botanical tin, sliced and thinned out at home and then placed between 

 the paper, the specimens in the books were taken out at home, and by this 

 time were sufficiently flacid to be easily arranged, whilst the petals were not 

 too far gone to shrivel up as soon as taken out of the books ; they were then 

 placed between as many sheets of paper as could be spared, generally three 

 or four ; but this paper required changing every two days. If left in the damp 

 paper the colours would " fly " very soon, and this changing of paper, 

 especially when the specimens were numerous, was a very serious trouble, 

 though well repaying in the end. 



For home purposes, I have adopted the plan suggested by Mr. Flower, of 

 Bath, which is extremely simple. The specimens are collected as already 

 mentioned, which when placed on the drying paper at home, I put at least 

 half-a-quire of paper between each layer, and then place a flat stone, cut to 

 the proper size (about 17 lbs. weight) on the top of the pile so formed. The 

 next time I bring home specimens, the fresh ones are arranged as before, and 

 this pile placed on the first stone ; a second stone being placed on the top, 

 so that the lowest pile has double pressure. The same process is repeated 

 the third day, and so on. The large amount of paper between each layer of 

 specimens obviates the necessity of changing the paper, so that the pile (or 

 piles) of specimens may be left for any length of time — six months if neces- 

 ary — and can be taken out when convenient. The colours are almost 

 invariably well preserved, because the pressure has been slight at first, and 

 only when the juices have become what I may call " fixed," has the pressure 

 been increased, and by that time almost any amount of pressure may be 

 applied. 



It will be readily understood that in certain cases, the pressure may thus 

 be increased too rapidly, but it need not be so, if the collector remembers that 

 less pressure is necessary at the time, but these cases will be very few. All 

 I can say is, that after nearly 30 years experience, I have found the above 

 plans simple, effectual, and very satisfactory. I would strongly urge not use- 

 ing screws, as the pressure cannot be properly regulated, and it is almost 

 always the case that too much pressure is put on the specimens before they 

 are ready for it. 



In the case of those plants brought home in the tin, I consider thinning 

 very necessary, if they are too thick, but this must be done with judgment, 

 and the ends of the severed branches be left on the stem, to show that some- 

 thing has been removed. For thick plants, as the mullein or broom-rape, if 



