I46 APPENDIX ON PRACTICAL WORK. 



indispensable, in the examination of small objects, or in arranging tliem 

 on paper. The cost is about is. (6.) A blank drawing -book (say octavo 

 size) and an F or HB drawing-pencil are as important as any of the 

 preceding. More real knowledge is gained by making a careful sketch 

 than by repeated inspection only. It is not necessary to sketch whole 

 plants, but individual parts that present any noteworthy features should 

 De neatly outlined. From an examination point of view, answers illus- 

 trated by diagrams are far the best, for mere " cram " rarely enables a 

 student to use these correctly and consistently. 



The correct description of an ordinary flowering plant should take 

 from half to three-quarters of an hour. Work of this kind is most 

 valuable in training the eye and cultivating the faculty of accurate 

 observation. Slovenliness must be avoided above all things, and, to 

 ensure methodical work, some settled order of procedure should be 

 adopted. The subjoined scheme may perhaps answer the purpose : — 



I. Habit.— Herb (annual, biennial, or perennial), shrub, or tree (p. 

 23). Size. General appearance. 



II. Root : — 



1. Kind (p. 13). — Whether (a.) a tap-root, and if so, relative size of 

 primary and secondary roots ; or (b.) mainly adventitious. Note in 

 this case the places of origin. Observe also if special kinds of root are 

 present, as aerial, &c. 



2. Branching. — Amount, in 1 (a). 



3. Form. — (a.) Fibrous, made up of numerous unthickened fibres. 

 Chiefly seen in 1 (a.), e.g., in grasses, (b.) Tuberous, more or less 

 swollen. The primaiy root itself may be the dilated part, as especially 

 in biennials. The two chief shapes in this case are spindle-shaped (e.g., 

 radish) and napiform (turnip-shaped). Or, again, there may be two or 

 more swellings, formed from secondary or adventitious roots. Note 

 number and shape. 



4. Direction.— Which way it chiefly extends, vertically or horizon- 

 tally. Angle at which secondary branches come off from primary. 



5. Texture. — Herbaceous, succulent, or woody. 



6. Surface and Colour. — Smooth, wrinkled, or irregular. 



III. Stem:— 



1. Kind. — (a.) Aerial (pp. 24-26), or (b.) underground (p. 26). Note 

 the particular sort in either case. Also remark the length of the inter- 

 nodes. If very short, the stem is condensed. Observe whether any 

 branches are developed into runners, &c., &c. (p. 25). If any of the 

 modifications described on p. 27 are present, mention them. 



2. Branching. — See pp. 24 and 47-48. 



3. Form. — Cylindrical, square, &c. (p. 23). Note if the nodes are 

 swollen. 



4. Direction. — Erect, &e. (pp. 25-26). 



5. Texture. — As for root. Also cut through longitudinally, and de- 

 termine whether solid or fistular (p. 23). 



6. Surface and Colour. — Smooth, ridged (in this case number and 

 relative size of ridges), or rough. State as regards emergences and 

 hair structures (p. 28). Form a judgment as to use of these (pp. 26, 

 41). Green, brown, &c. 



