243 
when all the rest of the group will be in flower or similar stage of 
growth. The time of flowering of different species in relation to 
each other (Sychronism), particularly those growing together in the 
same situations, is a matter that never seems to have had enough 
attention called to it, although well worthy of the careful study and 
observation of the collector. A more intimate knowledge of this 
subject doubtless would throw considerable light on the relation of 
many allied species ard their varieties. The writer has kept atabu- 
lated account of the relative time of flowering of many such groups 
for a number of years, and aside from its practical advantages in 
collecting, he has found it opens to him a field of delightful research, 
interest and speculation. 
We will close this article with a few special directions on collect- 
ing certain plants. 
As previously intimated, of Asters and Solidagos be careful to 
collect lower leaves as well as flowers and fruit. With Potamogetons 
the mature fruit is of first importance, both lower and floating leaves 
(if any) should be collected. : 
Carices should be always collected when the achenium matures,— 
just before the fruit is sufficiently ripe to fall away, and the same 
applies to the remainder of the Cyperacez, but it would be well to 
have of these also earlier specimens in flower. 
The Grasses as a general thing should be gathered as specimens 
much younger than Cyperacez, for, when too old, the spikelets in 
“many species break up and fall away when drying,—the specimen 
being worthless or badly mutilated. It is well to collect in flower, 
and also.a short time afterwards. Young botanists often think that 
the head or panicle is all that is required in Sedges and Grasses, 
and frequently send only that portion when they wish their collections 
named. Thisisanerror. The culm and leaves (of Grasses in partic- 
ular) should always form a part of the specimen, and the root when 
not too large. In several genera the root is quite important. 
‘The culms of most Sedges and Grasses act stubbornly when bent 
for arranging in portfolio or press and are not apt to stay in place. 
This can be easily remedied by a sharp bite with the teeth at the 
angles where bent. But when a number of specimens are to be held 
together in a little package,—as is a good way to preserve small 
Carices,—let the angles when bent be pressed through slits in pieces 
of paper, and dried in that manner. Such species as are cespitous, 
growing in tufts, should be so collected and preserved, if not too large, 
so. as to show this characteristic. 
~ The willows are dicecious, so sterile and fertile catkins will have 
to be secured from different bushes. Each species should be re- 
presented by four pieces, first the twigs when sterile and fertile 
catkins can be obtained, (when the respective bushes should be 
marked, and later corresponding twigs with mature leaves and stip- 
ules, and fruit from the fertile plants. These remarks on the wil- 
low are applicable to most dicecious shrubs and trees. 
There are a few aquatic plants which are so soft and flimsy, as 
the Lemnacez, Potamogeton pectinatus, P. Tuckermani, and Naias 
gracillima, that to secure them in their proper shape they should 
