THE GEELONG NATURALIST, 45 
thing like patience and systematic study, is there the greater encourage- 
ment for intelligent youths to make Algw their hobby, and be so 
devoted to their study as to make a name for themselves. Nansen’s 
fameasan explorer has followed from his acting upon this famous 
saying :—'*Man wants to know, and when he ceases to want to know, 
he ceases to be man.” 
But even if the study does not lead to fame, it forms a pleasing 
recreation, and withal profitable, for “the day is not wholly profane in 
which we have given heed to some natural object.” 
The best specimens are obtained in summer and autumn, for then 
they are in fruit, just as the botanist on the land finds his best speci- 
mens of mosses and lichens in winter. 
A few hints, gathered from experience, concerning collecting and 
preserving specimens may be useful. Many specimens may be picked 
up on the shore as the tide recedes, but as they rapidly deteriorate, it is 
probable that only those that are covered either by weed or by sand 
will be of any service to you. You will often secure choice specimens 
by wading amongst drifting weed along the shore and snatching up 
those pieces that commend themselves. Other pieces are obtained 
in situ as the tide recedes, and in sheltered pools ; others again by 
dredging in the pools or the deep sea. Having secured your specimens, 
(and a small bit of each will be sufficient), store them away from the 
light at once in your basket, or other vessel, and if possible in bottles of 
salt water, till you get home, They should be assorted and- mounted at 
once. Wash out all sand, &c., in salt water and use fresh water during 
the process of floating and mounting them. I have invariably floated the . 
specimens on to the paper on which I intend to permanently keep them 
(the plan of dry ing them between blotting paper firstand then mounting 
them on paper is a tedious and less satisfactory one), and I have found 
that in three cases out of four the adhesive matter which the Alge 
contain will cause them to stick well to the paper. 
A Use paper about 8 x 10 (drawing paper will do), only let it be 
fairly stiff and smooth, and not liable to wrinkle after immersion in the 
water. . For floating your specimen use a wash-hand basin (à 
rectangular vessel is of course better) and having disentangled it and 
spread it out to your satisfaction, introduce your paper into the water 
beneath it ; lift in gently and hold it near the surface whilst you come 
plete the arrangement of it, For this, a tooth-brush, camel-hair brush, 
hair-pin, &c., may be used according to the character of the weed. By 
raising it out of the water, you will find that it will fall gracefully into 
position on the paper, and by dipping into the water again, first one 
corner and then another, you will frequently be able to arrange it to 
‚your satisfaction, though it may be necessary to yet further spread out 
your specimen. Now place it to drain—damp off excessive moisture 
carefully with blotting-paper, and then place between sheets of blotting- 
paper putting pieces of muslin over the more delicate specimens, and 
then place in the press. You will have no difficulty in making a 
temporary press, only be careful that the boards used are smooth and 
level and that the pressure is evenly distributed. Examine the speci- 
mens in 24 hours, or perhaps less, change the blotting paper, drying 
what is wet in the sun to avoid mildew ; change again.a few times 
and increase the pressure according to the nature of the weed, then 
