but it is expensive to use on a large scale) and about fifteen by 
twenty inches in size is then laid on the smooth side of the first 
frame and on this the specimen to be dried laid out as smoothly as 
possible. Alternate layers of plants and paper are continued until 
there are as many as it is desired to dry, or as may be considered 
sufficient for one press. On this pile, the other frame is now 
placed, smooth side to the paper, and with a long piece of string 
the two frames are bound together by means of the ends of the 
transverse bars. Sufficient pressure can be brought to bear to 
prevent any plant from shriveling, and this is all that is required. 
These presses are easily portable and can be placed in the sun or 
near a fire. 
Where the means of manufacturing such frames do not exist I 
have often at a pinch made a serviceable imitation with split bamboo 
tied together with rattans or other jungle creepers. Ordinary 
straw coloured Chinese paper, such as is used by every Chinese 
shopkeeper, can also be used where no other is available, but it is 
necessary to use plenty of it and change often. With thick, spe- 
cially prepared drying paper, two pieces between each layer of 
plants is generally sufficient, but with Chinese four or five at least 
are necessary. During the first few days the papers should be 
changed at least once a day and those that have been in use 
thoroughly dried before being used a second time, but the same 
paper may be used over and over again for months. 
A great difference in the time required for drying will be found 
in the case of different plants, some things, such as Ferns, can be 
dried in less than a week, while soft fleshy things, such as Arums, 
unless dipped in spirits of wine or boiling water, will, by sun beat 
alone, take three times as long. If many specimens are being 
dried it is a good plan to examine the bundles at least once a week, 
and to put in one bundle those that are in nearly the same stage 
of dryness. 
Attention to a few simple rules will ensure success in drying 
plants. 
Do not put too many specimens in one press. Use plenty of 
paper. Change the paper often during the first few days. Keep 
the presses in the full sun or some other dry place. To dry quick- 
ly is the important point, and in very wet weather this cannot be 
done without fire heat. When quite dry the specimens may be 
kept between sheets of any kind of paper or gummed down on 
half sheets of stout white paper in the manner usual in botanical 
establishments. Equal parts of gum arabic and gum tragacanth 
dissolved in cold water is more convenient for this purpose than 
glue, which is generally recommended, as it is always ready for use 
and does equally well. The gum should be applied to the speci- 
men with a camel hair brush after which it is laid on the paper and 
kept in position with gentle pressure until dry. The size of the 
sheets used in most herbariums is seventeen by eleven and a half 
inches and this is a convenient size. 
To preserve from the ravages of insects each specimen should 
be brushed over with a solution consisting of spirits of wine, Cal- 
