HINTS ON COLLECTING AND MOUNTING 
LINEAR-LEAVED AQUATICS. 
It has been suggested to me that members would appreciate 
a few directions as to methods of preparing delicate aquatics for 
the herbarium ; and in the hope that many who have hitherto 
been diffident in collecting these beautiful and interesting plants 
may be induced to attempt their collection, I willingly accede to 
the request. 
Dredging. The most interesting of these species are usually 
invisible from the surface, and grow only on the finest and softest 
muds at depths up to twenty feet. Hence the necessity for a 
dredger. (A rough sketch and description of the most effective 
form is enclosed herewith.) The dredger is thrown out and the 
boat rowed on a few strokes to obtain sufficient ‘drag’ before 
hauling in. This is done slowly and uniformly so that the hooks 
hold the bottom and uproot entire plants. The best results are 
obtained by dredging from the deeper water to the shore — 
i.e. up the slope — rather than in the contrary direction. 
When botanising on land it is always advisable to carry a 
long piece of string in the pocket. A large stone attached to the 
end of this will provide means whereby species growing out of 
reach in water may be readily secured. 
Floating-Out. After removal from the water the plants 
must be kept wet until you reach home. My own collection is 
usually done from a boat, and the plants are put at once into my 
vasculum with water at the bottom and kept shaded as far as 
possible during the rest of the day. Linear-leaved aquatics 
placed in a dry vasculum and left exposed to direct sunlight will 
be irretrievably ruined in a short time. In the absence of a 
vasculum the plants should be placed under the stern seat in the 
water usually found there, and upon landing rolled in damp 
dock -leaves or moss. At home the plants are put at once into a 
plentiful supply of water and may there be left until next day. 
If, however, they are to be sent to a referee they must be posted 
same day in a tin quite full of damp moss and aquatics. 
For mounting I use zinc trays (18" x 11" x 3"), but any large 
vessel full of water will suffice. Place the sheet of white mount- 
ing paper under the surface and see that it is entirely submerged 
select one complete plant and place it upon the paper, both being 
submerged. V r ith a pair of fine-pointed steel forceps coax the 
leaves and branches to assume a natural position — with leaves 
