CHAPTER V. 



THE COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF PLANTS. 

 THE COLLECTION OF PLANTS. 



A few words may be useful in regard to the collection 

 and preservation of plants. The processes are simple 

 and easily learned, yet it is astonishing- how few seem to 

 acquire them. Thing's are sent to a botanist for identifi- 

 cation in such form as to make him shiver, devoid of 

 essential parts, ill selected, and badly, or not at all, 

 pressed. Good judgment lies at the bottom of specimen - 

 making as it does of most other things. We may lay 

 down rules in vain if common sense comes not in to tem- 

 per and control. There is no rule for supplying this; it 

 is a matter of temperament and antecedents, though it 

 may be increased by education. A sense of neatness is 

 almost as essential. 



Now as to directions. First, when you go on an 

 excursion, wear strong and plain clothes that you are not 

 fearful of injuring. Briers and bogs are no respecters of 

 raiment. Select broad, low-heeled, comfortable shoes. 

 Repentance follows upon a tight boot, especially in 

 mountainous regions. And, by the way, in such rough 

 districts, it is well to stud the soles with hob-nails. They 

 aid very much in climbing. 



The outfit should consist of a pocket-knife of some 

 sort, a cane, hooked at the end, for pulling-down branches 

 of trees, or securing water-plants otherwise unattainable; 

 a ball of twine; some vials and pill-boxes. The last are 

 carried, not for any medicinal value, but for preserving 

 seeds, algae or other small objects. 



By all means take a note-book in which to jot down 

 memoranda of various sorts. Few persons can trust the 



