146 APPENDIX ON PRACTICAL WORK. 
indispensable, in the examination of small objects, or in arranging them 
on paper. The cost is about 1s. (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 
be 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. Hasir.—Herb (annual, biennial, or perennial), shrub, or tree (p. 
23). Size. General appearance. 
i, hoor: 
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 aérial, &c. 
2. Branching.— Amount, in I (a). 
3. Form.—(a.) Fibrous, made up of numerous unthickened fibres. 
Chiefly seen in 1 (a.), ¢g., in grasses. (b.) Tuberous, more or less 
swollen. The primary root itself may be the dilated part, as especially 
in biennials. ‘The two chief shapes in this case are spindle-shaped (e.9., 
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. Textwre.—Herbaceous, succulent, or woody. 
6. Surface and Colouwr.—Smooth, wrinkled, or irregular. 
III. Stem :— 
1. Kind.—(a.) Aérial (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, &c. (pp. 25-26). 
5. Texture.—As for root. Also cut through longitudinally, and de- 
termine whether solid or fistular (p. 23). 
6. Surface and Colouwr.—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. 
