Qn the Study of Nature. 39 



witli gardens, orchards, and nurseries or, what may occur now 

 and again, to rear up a public Botanic Garden ; or, should the 

 inclinations of the botanist tend to the scientific pursuit of the 

 subject, nothing can prove a greater source of pleasure than 

 the forming of an Herharium, or repository of plants, either of 

 the district in which he lives or the country or continent. In 

 order to this, he allots a few spare hours occasionally to the field. 

 He is now seen perambulating the valley or the plain, picking 

 here and there a plant of ordinary form and appearance ; a little 

 beyond, he gathers of the sweet and lovely flowers of the little 

 stream or the winding river. At another time, he winds his way 

 along its shaded banks or the rocky sides of a distant hill, adding 

 plentifully to his stock of plants rich in gay colours, as well as 

 shrubs of verdant green, which contrast strongly with the slender 

 grasses, carices and ferns of the swamp beneath ; while a third 

 excursion will find him upon the ridges and summit of some lofty 

 mountain, adorned with alpine j)lants of great variety, and re- 

 markable for the fineness and softness of their texture and the 

 rich beauty of their gay colours, and enhanced greatly by their 

 modesty of size. These rambles, whether on the wide plain or 

 through the extensive forest — whether along the winding river or 

 upon the mountain top, each and all afi'ord endless sources of 

 pleasure and gratification. AVhile they contribute to the health 

 and strength of the body, they exhilirate the mind and impart to 

 it tone and vigour. Not the least of their advantages are the 

 wholesome impressions made upon the mind, as well as the many 

 associations hereafter connected with such rambles. He who has 

 united himself with his companions and formed a botanical party, 

 and with whom he has oft visited nature's spots of beauty and 

 gathered of its treasures, he alone it is, who can know the feelings 

 of delight that spring within the breast, " feelings," says Dr. Bal- 

 four, " by no means of an evanescent nature, but lasting during 

 life, and at once recalled by the sight of the specimens which 

 were collected." An occasional glance at an herbarium will call 

 forth many a pleasing recollection and bring to mind many a cir- 

 cumstance otherwise forgotten. One little alpine plant will often 

 tell a tale of adventure and call up many a delightful association 

 of persons, places and incidents. This is not the least of its 

 pleasures. It appears to us, that it is only after the lapse of time, 

 and especially when far removed from the scenes of botanical 

 istudy, that we can appreciate its value ; for then it brings up many 



