1015 



sands and tens of thousands, and have to be again divided among two 

 or three hundred botanists, according to the individual wants of each, 

 it is truly a difficult achievement to write with sufficient rapidity with 

 sufficient accuracy ; especially where this has to be accomplished by 

 the unpaid exertions of very few persons, who have also their own 

 professional or other absorbing avocations to occupy great part of their 

 time and thoughts. Carefully planned arrangements, methodical pre- 

 cision, and uniformity strictly enforced, are the keys of success. And 

 if our valued Secretary would always take these keys with him to Bed- 

 ford Street, bright in use, when he goes to perform the duties of Cura- 

 tor there, all might go on well and smoothly : unluckily the keys 

 sometimes become very rusty. 



I am sorry to add, however, that there is one serious difficulty, 

 which may be formidable enough to throw back all into confusion 

 again. The difficulty springs from inattention and negligence on the 

 part of country contributors. Certain rules are very explicitly laid 

 down for their guidance in selecting and labelling their specimens. 

 If these rules were strictly attended to by all, it would give great fa- 

 cility to the task of sorting and arranging; and the rules themselves 

 are simple and easy of observance. But one member neglects one 

 rule ; another neglects a second rule ; another neglects a third rule, 

 and so on. When their parcels eventually meet in London or Ditton, 

 instead of that uniformity and exactness which would be so service- 

 able, all is variety and confusion ; the labour of arrangement being 

 thereby doubled and trebled. So serious is the evil, that unless the 

 approaching winter shall bring a very decided change for the better, 

 in regard to the observance of fixed rules, I shall feel compelled to 

 relieve myself from effort and responsibility for the future. I cannot 

 afford the additional sacrifice of time caused by this inattention to 

 the prescribed regulations ; and truly I know not who else can and 

 will afford it. 



Hewett C. Watson. 

 Thames Ditton, October, 1847. 



SURREY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 



The Rev. W, W. Spicer exhibited specimens of Juncus diffusus, 

 Hoppe, gathered by him in company with W. Borrer, Esq., on a heath 

 between Guildford and Woking railway station. The plant was in 

 great plenty, intermixed with Juncus glaucus. Mr. J. D. Salmon 



