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plants falling under this category, the parts of greatest value 
are the fruit (including the seeds), the bark of the stem and 
branches, the root, and the leaves. 
The fruit may be sent dry, as above described, or moist. 
In the latter case, the fruit should be preserved in a 
spirituous solution only, such as whisky, brandy, or methyl¬ 
ated or rectified spirit. If the quantity available of either 
of the latter be limited, water may be added to the extent 
of one half the bulk of the spirit. All fruits however, which 
admit of being dried should be sent in that state, as then the 
large quantities necessary for physiological or chemical 
examination can more conveniently be sent home. The 
fruit should be collected when it is fully ripe. 
Bark .—Generally speaking, the bark of a medicinal plant 
is active, the chief exception being when the bark consists 
largely of cork. When this is the case, pieces of the whole 
stem or branches should be sent. They, like the bark, merely 
require to be thoroughly dried ; and if the stem or branches 
are thick, it is advisable to split them before drying. 
Root .—The root should be sent in the dry state ; if succu¬ 
lent, or possessing any peculiarity of form, several pieces 
should also be sent in the moist state, preserved in spirit. 
The leaves merely require to be thoroughly dried, as for 
botanical examination. 
Labelling .—Specimens of each part of a plant sent in a dry 
state should be placed in a separate package ; and of each 
part sent in a moist state, in a separate bottle. Thus, 
specimens of fruits and roots, or roots and stems, or branches, 
&c., should not be placed in the same package or bottle, but 
the specimens of each part in a separate package or bottle. 
Each package or bottle should be distinctly labelled, and a list 
reproducing or amplifying the labels should be enclosed in a 
letter to the person for whom the specimens are intended. It 
is advisable that the labels on the packages or bottles should 
state the name of the substance, the part of the plant, the 
locality in which the plant grew, and the date on which the 
specimen was obtained. Besides repeating these facts, the 
list sent by letter should also state the natural colour of the 
