HERBARIUM. 45 



. 



of a stamen and pistil constitutes a perfect flower ; but in gen- 

 eral these organs are surrounded with an envelope called the 

 corolla, and an outer one called the calyx. Persons ignorant' 

 of botany give exclusively the name of flower to these en- 

 velopes, which are often remarkable for the brilliancy of their 

 colours, the elegance of their forms, and the fragrance of 

 their perfumes. 



Method of preserving plants, and of preparing an herbarium. 

 PLANTS collected for analysis, may be preserved fresh many days, in a close 

 tfn box, by occasionally sprinkling them with water; they may also be preserv- 

 ed by placing their stems in WR' r, but not as well by the latter, as the former 

 method. While attending to the science of Botany, you should keep specimens 

 of all the plants you can procure. An herbarium neatly arranged is beautiful, 

 and may be rendered highly useful, by affording an opportunity to compare 

 many species together, and it likewise serves to fix in the mind the characters 

 of plants. It is a good method in collecting nlants for an herbarium, to have 

 a port-folio, or a book in which they may be placed before the parts begin to 

 wilt. Specimens should be placed between the leaves of paper, either news- 

 paper or any other kind which is of a loose texture, and will easily absorb the 

 moisture of the plants ; aboard with a weight upon it should then be placed 

 upon the paper containing them ; the plants should be taken out frequently at 

 first ; as often as once or twice a day and the paper dried, or the plants placed 

 between other dry leaves. Small plants may be dried between the leaves of a 

 book. 



Plants differ in the length of time required for drying as they are more or less 

 juicy ; some dry in a few days, others not sooner than two or three weeks. 

 When the specimens are dry and a sufficient number collected to commence 

 an herbarium, a book should be procured, composed of blank paper, (white pa- 

 per gives the plants a more showy appearance.) A quarto size is more con- 

 venient than a larger one ; upon the first page of each leaf should be fastened 

 one or more of the dried specimens, either with glue or by means of cutting 

 through the paper, and raising up loops under which the stems may be placed. 

 By the sides of the plants should be written the class, order, generic, and spe~ 

 cijic name ; also, the place where found, and the season of the year. The col- 

 ours of plants frequently change in drying : the blue, pale red, and white, often 

 turn black, or lose their colour ; yellow, scarlet, violet and green, are more du- 

 rable. An herbarium should be carefully guarded against moisture and insects ; 

 as a security against the latter, the plants may be brushed over with cor- 

 rosive-sublimate. 



As a healthful and agreeable exercise, we would recommend frequent botanical 

 excursions ; you will experience more pleasure from the science, by seeing the 

 flowers in their own homes : a dry groveof woods, the borders of little streams, 

 the meadows, the pastures, and even the way-sides will -afford you constant 

 subjects for botanical observations. To the hardier sex, who can climb moun- 

 tains, and penetrate marshes, many strange and interesting plants will prpsent 

 themselves, which cannot be found except in their peculiar situations ; of these 

 you must be content to obtain specimens, without seeing them in their native 

 wilds You will no doubt easily obtain such specimens, for there is, usually, 

 among the cultivators of natural science, a generosity in affording assistance 

 to others, arid imparting the treasures which nature lavishes upon those who 

 have a taste to enjoy them. 



Poisonous Plants and those which are not poisonous. ' 



Tn collecting flowers, you should be cautious with respect to poisonous plants. 

 Suchas have five stamens and one pistil, with a corolla of adull, lurid colour, and 

 a disagreeable smell, are usually poisonous ; the Thorn apple (stramonium) and 



Method of preserving plants, and of preparing an herbarium Botanical ex- 

 cursions Poisonous plants. 



