DIRECTIONS EOR COLLECTING AND 
PRESERVING PLANTS. 
The following is mainly a reprint of “ Directions for Collecting 
and Preserving Plants in Foreign Countries for a Herbarium,” by 
Robert Brown, with a few minor suggestions interpolated in square 
brackets, and a supplementary section on tlie lower plants requiting 
special treatment. Messrs. H. and J. Groves have prepared the 
part dealing with Characese, and Mr. Edmund Grove has written 
the special directions with reference to Diatoms. 
Directions for Collecting and Preserving Plants 
for a Herbarium. 
This is a much simpler process than is generally imagined by those 
unpractised in it, and travellers have been often deterred from 
collecting specimens by the time and trouble required for preparing 
them in the way that has by many been recommended. 
The chief circumstances to be attended to are, to preserve specimens 
of plants in such a manner that the moisture may be quickly absorbed, 
the colours as much as possible preserved, and such a degree of 
pressure given to them as that they may not curl up in the act of 
drying. , 
For this purpose let a quantity of separate sheets ot paper be 
obtained of a folio size* Common brown paper is upon the whole 
the best, except for the very delicate kinds, which require paper of 
a smoother and somewhat more absorbent texture. Blotting-paper, 
however, especially in warmer climates, would absorb the moisture 
T* The size of British Museum Herbarium paper is 1 {] inches by 11 4 . Di 1 ing- 
paper and presses of a corresponding size should be used, and specimens should 
be disposed so as not to exceed these limits. Applications for a special drying- 
paper should be made to the Keeper of Botany by travellers in httle-known 
countries.] 
123 
