334 THE BRITISH NATURE BOOK 



In order to identify plants, it is necessary to know something of their 

 structure, etc. ; for which purpose a magnifying-glass or pocket-lens is necessary. 

 If a collection is to be made, a tin box should be carried in which the plants 

 can be placed and kept fresh ; but I am not in favour of digging up plants, 

 unless they are common ones. For the purpose of most collectors, it is sufficient 

 to carry home a piece of the plant bearing leaves and flowers. 



I most strongly urge that the would-be student should draw his flowers. 

 The pen-and-ink illustrations in this book make excellent examples, and it 

 does not require a great amount of skill or knowledge to learn to make similar 

 drawings of other plants. There is no doubt whatever that if you take the 

 trouble to draw a plant carefully, you will never afterwards forget it. 



Those who can use a camera will find an equal fascination in photographing 

 their finds, whether in situ or at home. 



How to Dry Plants. 



There is a special kind of absorbent paper sold for this purpose, but sheets 

 of thick blotting-paper, and even ordinary newspaper, will serve. The plant 

 specimen should be arranged on a sheet, the topmost of some half-dozen 

 sheets, and should be carefully covered with another piece. Upon this several 

 other sheets are placed ; then another specimen, and so on, till the pile is com- 

 plete. Then the whole should be pressed between two boards, with some 

 weight on the top ; in which condition the pile should be left for twenty-four 

 hours. Then the papers should be changed ; the plants arranged, each on a 

 new sheet, and the pile again pressed. ' This process should be continued until 

 the plants are thoroughly dry. They may then be mounted on sheets of stiff 

 white paper, stuck down with strips of gummed paper, and the names, Latin 

 and English, locality, and date of finding, duly written in one corner. 



The General Structure of Plants. 



There are four distinct parts of every flowering plant, each of which has 

 its work to do in the life and growth of the whole. These are the Root, the 

 Stem, the Leaf, and the Flower. 



About the Boot. It is only in a few cases that the root is of any use as 

 a means of identifying the plant for example, the fibrous entangled root of 

 the Bird's-nest Orchis. 



About the Stem. This should be carefully inspected, as in many cases 

 it bears some characteristic feature. Notice, first, whether it is branched 

 or simple (that is, without branches). Then its shape : it may be round, or 

 angled, or flattened ; also, hollow or solid ; smooth, rough, or hairy. It may 

 be stiff and erect, or " prostrate," lying on the ground ; or it may support itself 

 by climbing or rambling. 



About the Leaf. This is of great importance as a means of identification, 



