Mr. English on Preservation of Plants. 71
stopped by no mills, I forwarded my fish to Mr. Buckland
for examination. He replied that it was a very handsome
trout, evidently recovering from spawning, and covered
with a fungoid growth which in external appearance at any
rate resembled the salmon disease. He said that the case
would be of importance when considering the whole sub-
ject of the disease.
It is, of course, possible the plague may disappear,
and it is to be hoped at least that it will not spread in the
county; but I think it well to send this note to inform
members that the disease has been noticed in Essex.
R. M. C.
May 24th, 1880.
Two Notes on the Preservation of Plants with their
Natural Colours and Forms.
By JAMES ENGLISH.
I.
(Read April 24th, 1880.)
I have been seeking for some simple method for preserving
specimens of our wild flowers, with their natural colours
better shown than in ordinary herbarium examples. The
idea is by no means new. I have seen specimens for orna-
mental purposes with the colours beautifully retained, but
the plants very much reduced in size. The process I
suggest is still very imperfect, but I bring it before the
Society in the hope that those interested in the subject
may aid to develop and improve it, thereby helping,
perhaps, to establish a permanent and useful method. At
present my plan is as follows:—
1st.—For entire plants, or separate leaves with only
green colouration, immerse in a bath of petroleum, from one
to four hours, the best time varying according to the
delicacy and texture of the plant; drain on absorbent