1896. ] Notes from My Herbarium. 211 
times the little fellows would betray their names very soon, 
and again 1 would wonder and wonder before I could compel 
the reluctant plant to reveal itself. Patience, however, al- 
ways brought its reward. 
There are difficulties, nevertheless, that are sometimes in- 
superable. A drought may dry up the precious spot after 
weeks of careful watching. In one instance I watered con- 
stantly a patch of weeds which I was afraid would not reach 
maturity, and I was rewarded with fine specimens. Cattle 
may crop the cherished plants just as you are expecting good 
returns for your care. I had collected seedlings of a Polygo- 
num. The plants were advanced enough to show that they 
were either Polygonum Convolvulus L., the black bindweed, 
or P. dumetorum L., var. scandens Gray, the climbing false 
buckwheat. I wanted to see the calyx lobes, but when I 
Visited the spot at the right time for fruit, the plants were all 
taten down by cows. The weeds, however, were persistent, 
and later recovered entirely and told me the story of their 
mame. It was the latter species. These instances are enough 
to show what may happen to disappoint the seedling hunter. 
Of course the cultivating of seedlings would obviate all this 
trouble, but I wanted the plants from their own native habi- 
fat. That gave additional zest and exercise. 
One plant kept me guessing for some time. Near the banks 
of Charles river by a salt marsh there was a large patch of the 
nest beautiful green. I found it to be composed of myriads 
*'seedlings not more than half an inch in height. What 
o they? The small linear cotyledons told me no story. I 
"9 the enthusiasm of a beginner analyzing a new flower. 
€ little plants grew, I narrowed my guesses, till a pre- 
it h enough to us all in its fulldress. I shall always 
Oe ahi in its baby clothes. Its cotyledons much fe- 
te 1m miniature, the later leaves. i es 
ne = limits of this paper will not allow a discussion OF a 
arly all my seedlings, for during these delightful three 
a I collected between fifty and sixty species. coral 
earl «” May, however, be of interest. Falmouth, oer 
sedlin July I found at the head of the beach in the clear 0 
Dartion® of some interesting species of coast plants. Ww 4 
ularly attracted to Lathyrus maritimus Bigelow, the beac 
