MAKING A COLLEI l [OK 279 



and thereby to Lead him t< compare plant-groups and to 

 clarify his perception and widen his horizon. When 

 these families, or the larger part of them, are understood, 

 if the* pupil desire further knowledge of species, he m.i\ go 

 to the regular manuals in which species are grouped or 

 classified according to their natural affinities. It is well in 

 study more than one plant in a genus whenever possible, 

 for then close comparisons can be made. 



making a collection. The making of a collection of 

 plants focuses one's attention, defines one's ideas, and 

 affords material for study at an\ season. The collecting 

 and preserving of plants should be encouraged. Not until 

 one searches for himself, and collects with his own bands, 

 can he know plants The collection should not he an end, 

 however. It should he only a means of knowing plants 

 as they live and grow. Too often the pupil thinks it 

 sufficient merely to have made a collection, hut the col- 

 lection of itself is scarcely worth the while. 



Plants are preserved by drying them under pressure. 

 The collection, when properly arranged and labelled, is an 

 herbarium. Bach species should he represented bj Buffi- 

 eient specimens to displaj the Btems, foliage, (lower-, 

 fruits. If the plant i- an herb, its root should be Bhown. 

 There should be Beveral or manj specimens of each 

 species to show the different forms which it assumes. It 

 is less important to have an herbarium of manj species 

 than to have one showing the Life-phases of a few species. 

 First make specimens of the common species: later one 

 ma\ include the rare ones if he choose, although an her- 

 barium which -elect- plants merely because thej are rare 

 j-, of Little account except a- a collection of curiosities. 

 The commonest plants are usually the least represented 

 in herbaria. 



I>r\ the plants between blotters which are 12 inches 

 wide and 18 inches Long. These blotters lire called 



