INTRODUCTION. XIU 



mention was made of local habitats. It was provided 

 that the specimens ^^ shall become the property of 

 the President, who shall dispose of them in such a 

 manner as he may think will give general satis- 

 faction;" and it was noticeable that all plants of 

 special interest or rarity were eagerly applied for. I 

 have no doubt that much useful information was 

 carried away from the meeting, and much good 

 feeling was manifested. 



It does not appear that the Greek and Latin 

 names have been found of great difficulty to these 

 botanists. It is no easy task for anyone to name 

 rapidly and correctly a number of plants brought 

 indiscriminately from fields, gardens, and hothouses, 

 and some with a mischievous intention to puzzle the 

 President, — such as deformities or sports ; but Mr. 

 Percival was seldom at fault ; and though his facility 

 is extraordinary, there are numerous other members 

 of these societies who can undertake the same task 

 with credit and success. These societies have always 

 had members of great zeal, industry, and botanical 

 knowledge ; and their labours have been of consider- 

 able service to the science. Among them may be 

 mentioned the late Mr. John Nowell, of Todmorden, 

 an operative cotton- spinner, whose contributions to 

 our knowledge of cryptogamic botany are well 

 known. These working-men botanists always begin 

 to learn by having the names of plants told them, 

 and I believe this is both an expeditious and a good 

 plan. 



