Herbarium Worker

They press and mount plant specimens and maintain a collection of records of the herbarium.  They start the process by placing the specimens in a fumigation cabinet and opening the valve to release toxic fumes, which destroy insects, fungus and other parasites.  They arrange the plant specimens between sheets of unsized paper so that the upper and under portions of leaves, blossoms and other components are visible.  The paper is padded with layers of felt and newsprint to protect the specimens and form stacks.  A specified number of stacks are placed in a pressing frame, and identification information written on the top layer of each stack.  Tightening the frame section with screws, fastening it with leather straps or typing it with twine secures the frame around the stack.  The frame is fastened to compress the stacks and dry the specimens in the desired configuration.  The dried specimen is mounted don heavy paper with glue, adhesive strips or needle and thread.  Care must be taken not to break or distort the specimens.  The herbarium worker then writes identification information on paper and inserts the mounted specimens in labelled envelopes or folders.  The folders are filed in drawers or cabinets according to a standard botanical classification system.  Herbarium workers have to maintain card files of the specimens I the herbarium collection.  They also record acquisitions, loans or sales of specimens.