THE HERBARIA OF THE SOCIETY. 107 



finding the grass which sprang up there an excellent pasture grass, 

 were in the habit of going thither to cut grass for seed, and hence 

 the name of " blue grass." The farmers frequently apply the 

 name of June grass to the Danthonia sjjicata (wild oat grass), 

 sometimes more aptly than correctly called " poverty grass," a 

 very worthless grass, and if we had specimens of both we should 

 see the difference. When the botanist is laughed at for the names 

 which unaccustomed tongues find so much diflflculty in pronounc- 

 ing, he knows that he cannot communicate with certainty what 

 is in his mind to another botanist, without these names. 



Dr. W. P. Bolles said that he had been very much interested in 

 the subject before the meeting, and heartil}' concurred in the sug- 

 gestion to complete the collection of grasses, but would be very 

 sorry to see the Herbarium limited to these and the collection of 

 ferns. He thought the Umbellifera3, or Parsley family, was one 

 of which it was very desirable, on account of the difficulty expe- 

 rienced by beginners in distinguishing the species, that we should 

 have a standard series for consultation. He also suggested that 

 we should make an herbarium of native North American plants, 

 which are often known by different common names in different sec- 

 tions of the country. Specimens of even the most common weeds 

 would be very valuable for examination by farmers and horticul- 

 turists. He thought the notes of which Mr. Robinson had given 

 an example, ver}'^ desirable, and in addition to such as might be 

 made by the donors of specimens, would have others by competent 

 persons. He thought an herbarium of the flowering plants of North 

 America would not be be3-ond the limits of the room or means of 

 the Society. A hundred species, with genus covers, would occupy 

 only about six inches in height. 



Edward S. Eand, Jr., thought we were under obligation to the 

 Professor of Botany for bringing the subject before the Society. 

 Though for many years one of the Library Committee, he did not 

 know that we had any specimens beyond the Davenport collection 

 of ferns. Although plates, either colored or plain, are in some 

 respects preferable to dried specimens, there is a knowledge to be 

 gained from the specimens which cannot be got from the plates. 

 Neither can take the place of the other. A small collection of the 

 most desirable plants would take but little room. Our book-shelves 

 are already overflowing, and more room must soon be provided, 

 and as a small collection of the most desirable plants would 



