Page:Sea and River-side Rambles in Victoria.djvu/109

90 at first, increasing it gradually as they become dry. Presses and weights are used to press the specimens in the drying sheets, but we in preference use well seasoned boards of about the size of an ordinary sheet of blotting paper, secured round the sides and middle by buckled straps. Every morning, fresh dry sheets must be substituted for the wet ones, and the straps buckled tighter. A few boards and paper are easily carried by the tourist wherever he or she may go, and they have one great advantage, they occupy far less room than any other apparatus which can be used for the purpose.

The specimens being dry, the student will proceed to an examination of them with a view to their classification; so alike apparently are many of the Algae, that it is well before sitting down to work to obtain a good collection; and without being in a hurry to arrange them specifically, first sort them into their various genera, whereby much subsequent confusion will be saved. Many plants (Bryopsis, for example,) are so variable that it requires the eye of a skilful Algologist to decide what are species or what merely varieties. It is always desirable to have a few good typical specimens named, and the others can be more readily worked out by means of some good Manual; that of Dr. Landsborough for instance, will afford much information on the British Genera, many of which are well represented in the Southern Ocean. The aid of the microscope is necessary to identify very many species, and small fragments of the frond may either be fastened down in a cell filled with distilled water, or moistened when required.