OF THE MARINE ALG.E. 
93 
tassels and soft flowing tresses which distinguish most of 
the Ceramiacese. So far, then, the study of aesthetics has a 
claim upon the botanist ; only let him beware of allowing 
it too far, by giving that a first claim on his attention which 
should in fact be a mere means to an end. Besides, a 
needy hungry-looking set of specimens always detracts from 
the good appearance of an herbarium : it repels rather 
than invites the attention ; whereas a rich series of well- 
prepared examples awakens in the observer’s mind an 
agreeable feeling of the beauty and perfection of the works 
of nature : it may be, even deeper and more lasting sensa- 
tions — wonder, praise, and thankfulness to the great Creator. 
Having * now divided the group of plants into fitting 
portions, each tuft is to be laid separately on the edge of a 
plate, not in the water, but just on the side, so that it may 
imbibe a sufficiency of moisture during the ensuing opera- 
tions without being actually immersed. Next, let a piece 
of stout white writing or drawing paper, of a size corre- 
sponding to the object under preparation, be pushed under 
the water slowly and carefully, so as to prevent air-bubbles 
from pressing on the lower surface, as they are very apt in 
the subsequent treatment to cause an unequal expansion in 
the paper, thereby raising folds and wrinkle's. The paper 
being ready to receive the Alga, the latter may be drawn 
gently over it, with the root end towards the operator, the 
stem and branches being kept from entanglement by means 
of a smooth blunt needle (a broken ragged end to the 
needle will do more harm than good, by tearing the delicate 
filaments), due regard being had to their natural position 
and the angle at which they ramified from each other 
during life. As soon as the larger branches are laid in the 
right direction, attention can be given to the minor branches, 
or pinnules, the position of which is in a great measure 
regulated by the way in which the paper is drawn out of 
* From this point the suggestions offered refer alike to freshly- 
gathered Algae and to those which have been long dried. 
