Vol. 1. No. 4.) BULLETIN OF THE TORREY BOTAMCSL CLUB. [New York, April, 1870, 
35. Hints to Correspondents —The season for herborizing has now 
fairly commenced, when the lover of plants will seize every opport- 
unity to revisit his favorites, and study their habits. This seems a 
‘iting occasion to remind him, that classification, though highly 
important, is only one branch of Natural History, and that far more 
may be learned of every species than the meager description proper 
to the Manual. The ideal local Flora should contain a full account 
of all the traits and habits of the vegetable world within its limits. 
There are many facts not to be gathered or but very imperfectly 
from the fullest herbaria,—facts which no doubt have, many of them, 
been noticed and stored up, in a scattered way, in the minds of in- 
dividual observers, but which, being unrecorded, are lost, to the 
great detriment of science. We look forward to the time when 
New York shall possess a tolerably complete local Flora, and, with 
this view, wish to suggest some points, which it is desirable to have 
reported. J"irst, there is the period of the successive changes 
in the plant from the opening of the buds and flowers to the fall of 
the seed and leaves, or decay of the whole plant; and, what is of 
more consequence than the month or the day, the relative time mi 
comparison with others, particularly of the same genus or orders, 
end the variations in this respect, in different seasons or localities. 
We'want much fuller information than we have yet about the earlier 
leaves of plants, and the tendencies of some to drop, and of others 
to keep their leaves. Secondly, it is necessary to note the geologi- 
eal character of the soil and situation, and whether it be moist or 
dry, and its exposure. Likewise, what plants are associated together, 
or seek the shelter, or society of others. Next, the conformation 
of the flower in reference to its fertilization, and whether the male 
or female organs are the first to mature; what insects visit or feed 
on the plants, — and in this let us hope that the votaries of the 
sister science of Entomology will aid us. Then there are the in- 
teresting subjects of the economy of the roots and rootstocks, of the 
buds, and of the seeds. All monstrosities are worthy of careful | 
consideration, not only as throwing light on general morphology, 
but on the history of the plant itself. For every species has hada — 
long history, and it is only by the most minute study, with all the 
concentrated lights of science, that we can hope to get some insight 
into it. This to many is the chief attraction of the subject, and we 
must ever, with Colden, the earliest botanist of the State, make it 
the object and guide of our studies, “rerum cognoscere causas. 
It should be remembered that farmers and men whose lives are pass- 
ed in handling plants, have often made interesting observations, and _ 
their sympathy may be enlisted to preserve some rare situation. 
We see that very much remains to be accomplished, and that 
those who are disposed to assist, can never want for subject raatter. 
very one with eyes for vegetable life might become a contributor, 
and would be gladly welcomed. 
36. Zanthorhiza, Zanthoxylam.—These barbarous names arc credited, 
_ the former to Humphrey Marshall of Pennsylvania, the latter to _ ee a 
Governor Colden of New York. It would be hard to say whether — 
they have not received more obloquy than honor from being remem-_ 
