2 l'i The Ottawa Naturalist. 



out some faint idea of plant life, to plunge a pupil headlong into the 

 depths of the study, were to me like setting him to solve some abstruse 

 mathematical problem prior to his learning the meaning of addition and 

 subtraction. Mr. Beal, too, in his paper, whatever he may do in practice, 

 makes no mention of a point which I deem of vital importance, viz., that 

 every student in botany, from almost his very entry on the subject, should 

 be urged to start and taught how to make an herbarium, or collection o* 

 plants, for himself. Field-work is of the greatest importance in promoting 

 familiarity with habitats, and in solving most of the problems of plant life, 

 and to induce pupils to engage actively in field-work there is nothing 

 equal to starting them to form an herbarium, for in no other way can such 

 an interest be excited. In my experience, young people can best be 

 stimulated to take an interest in any branch of study by giving them 

 something to do in connection with it. 



But it is not alone in the excitement of an interest in the study of 

 botany that the value of an herbarium lies. The ultimate end of any 

 scientific study being the mastery of all that can be learned concerning 

 it, the formation of a collection ol plants in a manner most convenient 

 for reference is a necessary part of the science of botany. 



But enough has been said to give you an idea of the general 

 principles on which botany is now usually taught in colleges and 

 schools. Let me next devote myself to telling you what /consider the 

 best way for you to enter on the study. The first step is to procure a 

 text-book on structural botany. For choice I would name Gray's 

 " Lessons in Botany." It is not too complicated and yet is extensive 

 enough, except for advanced students who wish to devote themselves 

 specially to the study. A work on systematic botany is also essential, 

 and I know of none better than the " Manual of the Botany of the 

 Northern United States," which covers our Canadian flora in great 

 measure. I would advise anyone purchasing to get the "Lessons" 

 and l; Manual " bound together. In this shape, the books are not only 

 heaper but more handy. We have in combination excellent works on 

 both departments of Botany, Structural and Systematic, no small 

 desideratum to the beginner, who, in naming plants by the latter, will 



