VI 
5. On the day after collection, the fronds should 
be carefully laid in the same manner as before, between 
sheets of blotting paper, and when all foldings are opened 
out, so that each segment is in position, subjected to 
moderate sustained pressure, under a board on which a 
stone or other convenient weight is placed. This paper, 
whenever damp, and at first daily, must be replaced by 
dry ; with delicate plants, such as Athyrium Oxypliyllum, 
it is better to avoid deranging the fronds by laying an 
extra dry sheet upon them, at first on one, then reversing 
the whole, on the other side. 
G. During this drying process, cases should be 
prepared for each genus, or for groups of genera, accord- 
ing to extent of collection and amount of duplicates into 
which the dried specimens can be at once sorted by 
genera. This will facilitate comparison and identification, 
after which the species themselves may be systematically 
arranged. It is always convenient to make a preliminary 
list of the ferns reported to have been found in the 
particular locality, wvth a column of altitudes, as a rough 
indication of what to look for in the neighbourhood. 
Lists of older collections may thus be utilised, care being 
taken that the fronds were actually gathered at the place. 
Species are often very locally restricted, and the exact 
place of collection should always be noted under the 
name, as well as the nature of locality, — rock, tree or 
marsh, &c., — and date, so as to render such information 
of value. 
