FOR many purposes, especially when intended for museums, classes in botany, pharmacy, etc., it is very desirable to preserve, as far as possible, the natural appearance of plant specimens. Where the purposes for which the material is to be used will permit its preservation in a dry state, the natural colors may generally be well preserved for some time by rapid drying. This is true of nearly all colors both of leaves and flowers. Such material, however, is likely to slowly fade, especially if it is not kept perfectly dry and well protected from strong light. Where the material is to be kept in fluid media, such as alcohol, formalin, gelatin, glycerin, etc., it is impossible in most cases to preserve the natural colors except by resorting to special methods.