Directions for collecting and preserving botanical specimens / [Robert Kaye Greville].
- Robert Kaye Greville
- Date:
- 1840
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Directions for collecting and preserving botanical specimens / [Robert Kaye Greville]. Source: Wellcome Collection.
3/16
![[.Memorandum.—The following paper by Dr Greville, on account of the many valuable rules and suggestions contained in it, has been embodied in the Botanical Society’s Annual Report for 1838-9 ; and though a difference of opinion exists amongst the Members respecting some of his views, it will doubtless be regarded with the attention due to any thing which emanates from so high an authority.] I.—DIRECTIONS FOR COLLECTING BOTANICAL SPECI¬ MENS, AND PRESERVING THEM FOR THE HERBA¬ RIUM. By Robert Kaye Greville, LL.D., F.R.S.E., F.L.S., &c. Read to the Botanical Society, 10th May 1839. Plants are preserved by placing them between sheets of ab¬ sorbent paper, and then submitting them to pressure until they are quite dry. To dry plants is a very simple operation; and there are collectors who seem to think that, if all moisture is expelled, nothing, more can reasonably be expected. This, however, is not sufficient for the purposes of science. The bo¬ tanist must aim not only at retaining as much as possible the character, but the original beauty, of the plants he wishes to preserve. Continental botanists, especially the Germans, are celebrated for the beauty and completeness of their specimens; and the black, curtailed, and carelessly arranged vegetable re¬ mains which in this country are often dignified with the name of botanical specimens, are justly regarded by them as utterly worthless, and would equally be rejected by every one anxious to form a valuable collection. In order to contribute in some degree to improve our taste in this respect, the following rules have been drawn up; and botanists are assured that, by fol¬ lowing them, they will preserve their specimens not only beauti¬ fully, but with facility and rapidity. I. Selection of Specimens. Specimens should be taken (when practicable) in fine weather,](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b30372173_0003.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
