6 
OF THE ALG-jE GENERALLY. 
of carriage, the teeth of the rake may be enclosed in a 
wooden channel (just as a crosscut saw is generally 
carried), and the rope tied round and round it. It is a 
mistake to fix the rake into a long handle (as is sometimes 
done), not solely on account of the difficulty of transport, 
but because it can only be used in water of moderate 
depth. Moreover, it is by no means easy to fix the in- 
strument with sufficient firmness into the wooden handle, 
and it is consequently liable to be lost, if it meets with an 
obstruction of more than ordinary size. 
5. A sufficient quantity of oiled paper, or some similar 
material, such as waxed cloth, or india-rubber or gutta- 
percha sheeting, in which to fold up the specimens, and 
prevent the water from draining out. Several small 
parcels can be packed in a larger piece of sheeting, and 
these again placed in a bag, to be carried across the 
shoulders. 
6. A number of small bottles with wide mouths, for 
the purpose of holding Diatomaceas, and similar minute 
specimens. Cork stoppers are to be preferred to glass, 
as the latter are apt to get loose and fall out from the 
constant friction of sandy particles, whose presence it is 
impossible to avoid. Besides, glass stoppers make the 
bottles both heavier and more expensive, without any 
corresponding return. The bottles may be safely carried 
in the breastpocket of a coat — that is, for short expeditions. 
For longer journeys, and on occasions where many bottles 
must be carried, it is best to provide a kind of knapsack, 
not too large, in which they may be laid, one against the 
other. To prevent shaking or breaking, some paper or 
strips of pasteboard may be laid between each bottle. 
7. Lastly, it is of the utmost importance to be pro- 
vided with a good lens, or a pocket -microscope, so as 
to be able to distinguish in a moment, and on the spot, 
useless from useful matter. 
There is no need to recommend a stout walking-stick 
and a pocket-knife, as no sensible botanist would think of 
