158 
OF THE FERNS AND FLOWERING PLANTS. 
and, if breathed upon while under the microscope, will be 
seen to curl and uncurl themselves, enfolding the spore or 
causing it to dart on one side. 
The collector is well prepared for a botanical expedition 
when he has furnished himself with a common gardener’s 
trowel, a strong knife (if provided with a saw so much the 
better), and a tin vasculum, the latter larger or smaller 
according to the probable duration of his trip, the time of 
year, the plants likely to be met with, &c.* 
If, on returning home, the dowers have closed their 
petals, as frequently happens, it is only necessary to set 
the roots in a basin of water, until the corollas have again 
opened, when the roots may be roughly dried, and the 
preservation of the plant proceeded with. Should they be 
wet from dew or rain, when gathered, they must be laid 
by until every trace of moisture has disappeared ; other- 
* A very -useful instrument was brought under my notice, many 
years ago, by that eminent botanist, Philip Barker Webb. The ac- 
companying figure exhibits its general form. The total length is 
15 inches, of which the handle occupies rather more 
than one-third. The blade (which is triangular in shape 1 14 - 
each side of the triangle measuring seven-eighths of an 
inch where it joins the handle) is brought to an obtuse 
point. About midway between the two extremities, or, 
more correctly speaking, some 4^ inches below the 
handle, it begins to make a gentle curve, the lower end 
being about one inch out of the true line. One of the 
angles forms the back of the curve. For convenience of 
carriage it should be fitted into a stout leather case. 
This instrument, which was Mr. Webb’s invariable com- 
panion in his numerous Alpine excursions, is of great 
value for forcing plants from between the fissures of 
rocks, massive tree roots, &c. ; in a word, from places 
where the broad surface of a trowel cannot be inserted, 
or would probably be broken, if it could be got in at all. 
It is also useful for extracting tap roots without injury 
or any other hard dry soil. 
If made of good material, it will last a lifetime. My own has seen 
a good deal of rough service, but is practically in as good condition 
as when it was made twenty years ago. — E d. 
from chalk 
