igo4] Nature Study — No. i6. iii 



collecting each specimen, it is important to write the name 

 of the plant, if known, the place where it was collected and 

 the date, on a piece ot paper which is kept with the specimen until 

 the regular label is written. It is not a good practice to trust to 

 the memory, as after a season's collecting one cannot remember all 

 the particulars. Plants of each genus are kept together in what 

 is known as a genus cover, which is a folded sheet of strong paper, 

 a little larger than. the mounting sheets (12x16^ inches); and, for 

 the outside of the genus covers, genus labels may be obtained on 

 whith is written the name of the order and genus to which the 

 plants belong. The label is attached to the lower left hand corner. 



The genera should be arranged in botanical sequence in a 

 cabinet, which should be kept closed to prevent injury from dust 

 and insects. 



No herbarium is complete without a list of the specimens 

 contained in it, and a check list ot Canadian plants or of the plants 

 of Ontario will be found of great use in marking the species which 

 have been collecting and at a glance seeing those which are still 

 to be procured. A check list of Canadian plants has been pub- 

 lished by Mr. James M. Macoun, Ottawa, and of the plants of 

 Ontario, by Mr. W. Scott, Normal School, Toronto. 



Practic.\l Results from the Study ok Plants. 



It may be asked, what practical benefit can be derived from 

 the study of plants? This is a very pertinent question; for, in this 

 age of keen competition it is as well, if possible to obtain some- 

 thing that will be of use to us in life, even from what may appear 

 at first sight merely a delightful pastime. When- Prof. John 

 Macoun explored Manitoba and the North West Territories in the 

 seventies and travelled for hundreds of miles without seeing a 

 white man nor a cultivated field, he was as certain that this great 

 territory would eventually produce millions of bushels of wheat as 

 it is now certain that they have been produced, and, when he was 

 lauj^hed at for his enthusiasm, he said "You will see that I am 

 right." Why was he so certain? Because of his knowledge of 

 plants. He knew what wild species of plants grew in sandy soil, 

 loamy soil, clay soil and gravelly soil ; what kind would not 

 thrive where the soil was alkaline and which kinds would. H^ 



