COLLECTION OF PLANTS. 53 



portion of the label can always be printed as per sample: 



HERBARIUM OF T. Z. JONES. 



Much bad taste is shown in the construction of labels. 

 Avoid all tendency to fancy borders. Strive for clear- 

 ness and simplicity. At the same time, let the paper of 

 the label be such as wall readily take glue without too 

 much curling 1 . Mounting 1 paper can be obtained from 

 any naturalist's agency, or from a bindery. The stand- 

 ard size is 16*4 inches by Iiy 2 . Uniformity is desirable, 

 ,so that when the collection is broken up, as it is sure to 

 be in time, it may find a fitting abode in some public her- 

 barium. 



Our plants are now mounted and labeled. Place thrm 

 next under their proper genus covers, and in their ordinal 

 relations in the proper pigeon-holes of your case. It 

 would lead us too far to speak of the various cases used. 

 Suffice it to say that the case should be of convenient 

 height, and the compartments deep and broad enough 

 easily to receive the sheets. If possible have tight doors, 

 excluding dust and insects the whole fastening by the 

 'Jenks,' or some other combination lock. 



We are often asked how to learn classification. It 

 can be learned only by classifying. A summer spent in 

 collecting 1 and arranging a lot of plants conveys more 

 definite ideas of 'affinity' than hours of lecturing. It is 

 the fashion nowadays to decry systematic work, but it is 

 likely to have its uses for some time to come. The aver- 

 age young pupil is more interested in the plants afield 

 than in the differentiation of the punctum vcget ationis : at 

 least such is our experience. 



