26 



Tho other Herbariums wore got up \\itli remarkable care and skill ; two of 

 them were, in fact, quite models of neatness, not a leaf being disarranged, while 

 the hues of the flowers, usually so evanescent, were beautifully preserved. The 

 plants were entire in all eases where that was practicable ; and, where the size 

 forbade it, portions of the root, stem, and foliage were presented with the 

 flower. 



Altogether, the collections sent in agreeably surprised the judges, to whom 

 they were submitted, and on the whole are exceedingly creditable to the industry 

 and care, and, in some instances, to the botanical knowledge of those who have 

 formed them. The largest and most carefully arranged bore the motto, " Nature 

 is the book of God, before thee set." (The Rev. James F. Crouch, Pembridge 

 Rectory). It gained the first prize ; the full size of the specimens, about 355— 

 their careful pressing— generally correct naming — and scientific arrangement — 

 being considered to bring it nearest to the standard desired. The collection forms 

 an extremely interesting and valuable record of the plants of that part of our 

 county. 



The collection which gained the second prize, bore the motto "Tyro" (Mr. 

 Thomas Blashill, jun., Mansell Gamage). It contained about 298 specimens, or 

 rather sheets. This, in no degree, yields to the preceding one, in careful selection 

 and drying of the specimens ; but the sheets were of smaller size, and hence the 

 specimens in many instances could not be so complete, and many of them were 

 sent still green ; this collection is, however, a model of neatness and care, and 

 leaves little to be desired in style of pressing the specimens, while the errors of 

 name were remarkably few. It is also a most interesting addition to our know- 

 ledge of our little explored county. 



Next in value came the collection inscribed " Spero meliora" ; very fair as to 

 number and careful selection of specimens, and exceedingly creditable to one 

 whose attention has only been so lately directed to the subject. 



A very handsomely mounted collection bore the motto, " Collegisse juvat " ; 

 but though many of the specimens were of full size and carefully pressed, there 

 was great irregularity in this respect, and the nomenclature was not what could 

 have been desired. Many plants, too, were sent wholly unnamed. 



The prizes awarded in this department consisted of a gold and silver pencil- 

 case, manufactured by the celebrated London house of Mordan & Co., of very 

 rich yet chaste design and workmanship. The extra prize given was an elegant 

 small gold pencil-case, with ring to be attached to a chain. 



The judge for the flowers of the divisions I. and II. was Mr. George Glenny, 

 the celebrated florist ; and the judge for the fruit and vegetables of the same 

 divisions w;vs Mr. Kidd, gardener to D. Peploe Peploe, Esq., of Garnstone. 



The judges for the division III. were the Rev. J. Dudley, of Sarnesfield, and 

 Mr. Thomas, of Belmont. 



