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ON THE FOEMATION OF AN HEEBAPJUM. 



A EECEEATION FOK THE YOUNG. 



Look on these flowers ! As o'er an altar shedding, 

 O'er Milton's page, soft light from coloured urns ! 



They are the links man's heart to nature wedding, 

 When to her breast the prodigal returns. 



They are from lone wild places, forest dingles, 

 Fresh banks of many a low-voiced hidden stream, 



Where the sweet star of eve looks down and mingles 

 Faint lustre with the water-lilies' gleam. 



They are from where the soft winds play in gladness. 

 Covering the turf with pearly blossom-showers ; 



Too richly dowered, oh I friend, are we for sadness, — 

 Look on an empire — mind and nature — ours. 



Mrs. Hemaxs. 



The practical study of Botany is a source of the most pure gratifi- 

 cation, opening, as it does, a new world of life, lying at our very 

 feet, and furnishing food for pleasant thoughts at all times and 

 seasons. Putting aside its high utility as a hranch of natural science, 

 it is in itself one of the most pure and innocent enjoyments in which 

 we can possibly indulge. Some of the most delightful memories of 

 our own are associatad with the herbarium. We have been led into 

 some of the most sweet and sunny spots of " Merrie England," in 

 quest of specimens for drying and preserving. In presenting the 

 reader with a few directions for the preparation of botanical speci- 

 mens, we shall presume tliat he has a love for botanical science, and 

 would wish to adopt that course in the formation of a collection of 

 plants which would prove most useful in advancing his studies ; for, 

 although dried plants are objects of great beauty, and are frequently 

 collected and preserved for tkeir beauty alone, yet those who moat 

 need information on this subject are those who, just entering upon 



