CHAPTER V. 



THE COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF PLANTS. 

 THE COLLECTION OF PLANTS. 



A FEW words may be useful in regard to the collec- 

 tion and preservation of plants. The processes are 

 simple and easily learned, yet it is astonishing how 

 few seem to acquire them. Things are sent to a 

 botanist for identification in such form as to make 

 him shiver, devoid of essential parts, ill selected, and 

 badly, or not at all, pressed. Good judgment lies at 

 the bottom of specimen-making as it does of most 

 other things. We may lay down rules in vain if com- 

 mon sense comes not in to temper and control. There 

 is no rule for supplying this ; it is a matter of temper- 

 ament and antecedents, though it may be increased by 

 education. A sense of neatness is almost as essential. 



Now as to directions. First, when you go on an 

 excursion, wear strong and plain clothes that you are 

 not fearful of injuring. Briers and bogs are no re- 

 specters of raiment. Select broad, low-heeled, com- 

 fortable shoes. Repentance follows upon a tight boot, 

 especially in mountainous regions. And, by the way, 

 in such rough districts, it is well to stud the soles with 

 hob-nails. They aid very much in climbing. 



The outfit should consist of a pocket-knife of. some 

 sort, a cane, hooked at the end, for pulling down 

 branches of trees, or securing water-plants otherwise 

 unattainable ; a ball of twine ; some vials and pill- 

 boxes. The last are carried, not for any medicinal 

 value, but for preserving seeds, algae or other small 

 objects. 



