68 
OF THE FILAMENTOUS ALG.E. 
cross bars. I mention the plan, but have had no experience 
of it. — E d.] 
The plants are then to be subjected to the pressure of 
three or four bricks. I consider bricks to be preferable to 
stones or iron weights, on account of the handiness of their 
form and the ease with which the pressure may be regu- 
lated. For cleanliness sake they should be wrapped in 
paper or linen ; it is advisable also to sling them by cross 
pieces of string with a loop in the centre. 
Many botanists prefer an ordinary linen press to any 
of these things, but such an apparatus is not always to be 
found when wanted. 
[Others again give the preference to a form of press, such 
as is represented at fig. 82, Plate xv. 
As the reader will observe, cross-beams of wood enclose 
the boards used for drying, and are held together by four 
upright iron rods. The requisite degree of pressure is 
given by tightening or loosening the screws, which are 
placed at the top of the rods. — E d.] 
After about twenty-four hours the preparations may be 
examined, and in case they are not dry, must have the 
blotting paper changed, and be again placed underpressure. 
A week will frequently elapse before the plants are fit to 
be put away in the herbarium. It is the nature of almost 
all Algge, when they are drying, to cling closely to the paper 
on which they lie, and the use of the stearine paper is to 
prevent this from taking place during the time the plants 
are being pressed. In my opinion, it is far better for the 
purpose than oiled paper, which was much in vogue at one 
time, as the latter is apt to leave spots and marks on the 
white paper to which the specimens are attached. Now, 
stearine does not sully the objects with which it comes in 
contact ; and as the material itself is cheap and easily pre- 
pared, it is much to be preferred to paper impregnated 
with either oil or wax. 
To get it ready for use, let fragments of a stearine candle 
be rasped into shreds and strewn equally over a sheet of 
