Notes on the Stud? of Botany. l'i; I 



the particular agents that perform the work ; we are aware that 

 cleistogene flowers produce pods far more fruitful than the ordinary 

 blossoms, but we know almost nothing about the proportion of the 

 kinds, or why a plant should be provided with two sets ot blossoms. 

 There are many other points just as vague, hints to which may he 

 found in such works as Darwin's " Climbing Plants" Bailey's " Talks, 

 Afield'' Prentiss' " Mode of Distribution of Plants" and Kerner's 

 "Flowers, and their Unbidden Guests " ; enough, however, has been said 

 to show that the way to discoveries new to science is open to even the 

 humblest votary. There is practically no limit to the papers that could 

 be prepared by many of you for this or similar societies ; papers both 

 interesting and useful ; papers of value to science ; papers that I feci 

 sure the "Ottawa Naturalist" would gladly find room for. In 

 conclusion, I would say, that if within his means, and they are very 

 cheap, no student of botany should neglect to take at least one of the 

 periodicals devoted to the science. The " Bulletin of the Torrey 

 Botanical Club" the " Botanical Gazette," and the " American 

 Naturalist" are among the best. The first two are devoted entirely to 

 botany, the last takes up othei sciences as well. I take it for granted 

 of course that all of you are already subscribers to your excellent local 

 Natural History monthly. 



It I have trespassed too much on your time, or wearied you with 

 my effort to make plain to you some points on the study of botany, I 

 pray you pardon me. Each of you who takes up this charming science 

 will, I have no doubt, see modifications that you think might be 

 advantageously made in the methods suggested. Should it be so, by 

 all means adopt them. The method employed is of little importance 

 provided only it brings about the great aim and end of the study, which 

 is to learn to observe and compare. Do this honestly and you cannot 

 fail to become lovers of nature, and, as lovers of nature, better and 

 happier men and women, men and women in some degree approaching 

 the illustrious scientist of whom was sung : 



" And Nature, the old nurse, took 



The child upon her knee. 

 Saying : ' Here is a story-book 

 - Tin- Father lias written for tine.' 



