PRELIMINARY DISCOURSES. XXIX 



and a system of exchanges, where practicable, with competent and 

 zealous Botanists, in other districts. Be very inquisitive, whenever 

 you have a chance to confer with such, for they are always happy 

 to aid the researches of the hopeful student ; furnish them with 

 specimens, and ply them with questions. Questions, when rightly 

 directed, and intelligently put, are a most effective apparatus for 

 eliciting information, and bringing truth from her hiding place. 

 A witty rhymer, of the age just elapsed, thus quaintly, yet aptly, 

 illustrates the character and importance of Interrogatories : 



"The Sages say, Dame Truth delights to dwell 

 Strange mansion ! in the bottom of a well : 

 Questions are then the windlass and the rope, 

 That pull the grave old Gentlewoman up." 



The acquisition of the Language of Botany or those technical 

 terms which are necessarily employed in the Science, is generally 

 considered, by Beginners, as a most formidable part of the under- 

 taking: But this will be found, in a great degree, to be an im- 

 aginary difficulty. I admit that it would be a task, as irksome as 

 it would be unprofitable, to attempt ty learn the meaning of a parcel 

 of uncouth terms, without knowing their origin, or comprehending 

 the objects to which they are applied. Such is not the mode in 

 which I would study, or try to teach, the natural sciences. Rather 

 let us look at the objects, and examine their structure. We shall 



characteristics which are liable to be obliterated in pressing and drying.f These 

 notes will serve him as valuable Mnemonics, in any future references to his 

 Herbarium. On all suitable occasions, he should diligently explore the vegetable 

 products of the region, or district, where he resides : not neglecting such other 

 localities as he may happen to visit. In that way, he will soon be surprised at the 

 extent and value of his collections; and will find a pleasure, and an interest, in 

 Lis herborizing excursions, which the uninitiated can neither appreciate nor com- 

 prehend. In those excursions, a friend who can sympathize with his predilections, 

 and cordially participate in his researches, will always prove an agreeable and useful 

 companion: But I .fully concur in the shrewd advice of my old Correspondent, 

 Dr. E. GERMAIN, DE SAINT-PIERRE, in his Guide du Sotaniste: 



"Jamais, n'herborisez avec les personnes etrangeres a vos etudes; vous les 

 fatigueriez bien vite par vos allures irreguliercs, vos terns d'arret ou votre marche 

 precipitee ; tandis quo, d'autre part, 1'air contrarie de votre compagnon, prive 

 d'un auditeur et s'etonnant que vous regardicz une plante commune ou vous 

 demandant si vous ne 1'avez pas dejk recoltee, vous serait a vous memo une in- 

 supportable gene. Gardez-vous surtout d'entreprendre, dans de telles conditions, 

 un long voyage : son but serait absolument manque." 



fin collecting plants for & Herbarium, and future examination, it is always 

 desirable, when practicable, to have specimens of the fruit, as well as of the 

 flowers, leaves, &c. " Every botanical specimen," says Prof. HARVEY, "should bo 

 an epitome of the essential marks of a species." The Student should distinctly 

 understand, that the full grown fruit is indispensable in determining many of the 

 Carices, and also of the Cruciferae, and Umbelliferae. He should, therefore, be 

 careful to make hia collections accordingly. 



