104 AMONG THE WILD FLOWERS, 
by the kindness of a friend, and in which the 
specimens are in perfect preservation. But the 
power of distinguishing the genera and species 
can only be attained by careful observation with 
a microscope of moderate power. 
Care should be taken to get the specimens 
both for study and for drying when they are 
in bloom, as they differ much in appearance in 
various stages of their growth; if gathered too 
soon the spike is not expanded, nor the struc- 
ture of the flower duly developed ; and, if the 
seed be ripening, the specimen, when gathered, 
may fall to pieces. 
