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these laid one on top of the other, with several sheets between each. 
The pile is now to be placed between two boards, and subjected to a 
pressure of fifty pounds or less. This may be given by weights, or 
by means of two straps, one at each end. In travelling, the straps 
will be found most convenient. The papers must be changed every 
day, and, when perfectly dry, transferred to fresh sheets. It will be 
found very convenient to have a number of blank labels, with strings 
attached, by which they may be fastened on a specimen when col- 
lected, as soon as notes of locality, color of flowers, date, &c, are 
made upon it. 
In many instances, old newspapers will be found to answer a good 
purpose both in drying and in keeping plants, although the unprintcd 
paper is best — the more porous and absorbent the better. 
While on a march, the following directions for collecting plants, 
drawn up by Major Rich, are recommended : — 
Have thick cartridge, or envelope-paper, folded in quarto form, and 
kept close and even by binding with strong cord; newspapers will 
answer, but are liable to chafe and wear out; a few are very conveni- 
ent to mix in with the hard paper as dryers. This herbarium may 
be rolled up in the blanket while travelling, and placed on a pack- 
animal. The specimens collected along the road may be kept in the 
crown of the hat when without a collecting-box, and placed in paper 
at noon or at night. Great care should be taken to keep the papers 
dry and free from mould. When there is not time at noon to dry the 
papers in the sun, they should be dried at night by the fire, when, 
also, the dried specimens are placed at the bottom of the bundle, 
making room on top for the next day's collection. A tin collecting- 
box is very necessary ; plants may be preserved for two or three days 
in one if kept damp and cool. It is also convenient in collecting 
land-shells, which is generally considered part of a botanist's duty. A 
collector should also always be provided with plenty of ready-made 
seed-papers, not only for preserving seeds, but mosses and minute 
plants. Many seeds and fruits cannot be put in the herbarium, par- 
ticularly if of a succulent nature, causing mouldiness, and others form 
irregularities and inequalities in the papers, thus breaking specimens 
and causing small ones and seeds to drop out. Fruits of this kind 
should be numbered to correspond with the specimen, and kept in the 
saddle-bag or some such place. It is necessary, in order to make 
good specimens, to avoid heavy pressure and keep the papers well 
dried, otherwise they get mouldy, turn black, or decay. 
