134 BOTAJSIICAL GAZETTE. 



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how all this bears upon the question of time and labor in the prep- 

 aration of the Flora of a great country, [f even in old Europe 

 the work has to be done over and over,how much more so in Amer- 

 ica, where new plants are almost daily coming to hand. It is 

 true that these fall into their ranks, or are adjustable into their 

 proper or probable places, but not without pains-taking and 

 tedious examination. 



Of our Flora, it may indeed be said, that "It 'twere done when 

 'twere done, then 'twere will .it were done quickly." But I may 

 have made it clear that, in the actual state of the case, it is likely to 

 be done slowly. At least you will understand why thus far it has 

 been doneslowlj'. As to the future, if it depended wholly upon me. 

 the completion would obviously be hopeless. I need not say that 

 our dependence, for the actual elaboration, must largely be upon 

 associates, upon the few who have the training and the vast pa- 

 tience, and the access to herbaria and libraries, requisite for this 

 kind of work, but above all upon my associate in the herbarium at 

 Cambridge, to whom, being present with us, I will not further 

 allude. 



Of course we rely, very much indeed, upon the continued co- 

 operation of all the cultivators of botany in the country; and it is 

 gratifying to know that their number is increasing, new ones not 

 less zealous than the old, and better equipped, are taking the places 

 of those that have passed away and some of them extending their 

 explorations over the remotest parts of the land, and into districts 

 where there is most to be discovered. All can help on the work, 

 and all are doing so, by the communication of specimens and of 

 observations. Those within the range of the published manuals 

 and floras get on — or should get on — with only occasional help 

 from us. They should send us notes and specimens to any amount; 

 but they should not ask us to stop to examine and name their 

 plants, except in special cases, which we are always ready enough 

 to take up. Those who collect in regions as yet destitute of such 

 advantages may claim more aid, and we take great pains to render 

 it; partly on our own account, that we may assort their contribu- 

 tions into their proper places, partly for the encouragement of such 

 correspondents, who otherwise would not know what they have 

 obtained, and who naturally like to know when they have made 

 interesting discoveries. 



But the scattered piecemeal study of plants is neither very 

 satisfactory nor safe. And it involves great loss of time, besides 

 interrupting that continuity and concentration of attention which 

 the proper study of any group of plants demands. As respects the 

 orders of plants which are yet to be elaborated for the Flora, and 

 as to plants which require critical study or minute examination, 

 necessarily consuming much time, it is better to defer their com- 

 plete determination until the groups to which they severally be- 

 long are regularly taken in hand. 



