138 Nature Notes. [Sess. 



and what it will become in its old age. These researches 

 afford not only the amplest mental training but abundant 

 occupation for the longest life. Botany is not merely one 

 of the ornamental branches of knowledge, — it is a highly 

 intellectual study. It is of practical utility also, and an 

 essential preparation for several important pursuits, such as 

 the physician, druggist, horticulturist, and forester, who all 

 more or less require to have a practical knowledge of plants. 

 If this is not acquired in early life, the opportunity scarcely 

 ever afterwards presents itself. Gladstone, whose general 

 knowledge was vast, said that he had little or no know- 

 ledge of ]N"atural History, but had sense enough to lament 

 it, and to urge the pursuit upon others, especially the young. 

 Any branch of l^atural History ought to be ranked as a 

 useful and important, if not an indispensable, part of a 

 well-rounded education. It is a splendid mental discipline. 

 The study of it develops the powers of careful minute observ- 

 ation and comparison. This method of study may be learned 

 through any branch of Natural History, but botany presents 

 the advantage that it can be pursued with less inconvenience 

 and less expense than any other. The mental training which 

 it affords is very thorough. The details of plant-structure 

 are infinite, and essential peculiarities are often so hidden 

 as to be recognised only by the most minute investigation. 

 This involves the use of the microscope, which every educated 

 person ought to understand, since it reveals to the eye a 

 newly discovered and wonderful world. After the training 

 of the powers of perception and comparison comes the process 

 of generalisation, whereby the laws of vegetable life are deter- 

 mined from the study of plant forms and modes of growth. 

 Thus is acquired the habit of inductive reasoning, or the sup- 

 porting of every general proposition upon a solid foundation 

 of positive indisputable fact. Field naturalists should have 

 little to do with technicalities as to structure or with the 

 histology and physiology of organisms. A return should 

 rather be made to the methods of Gilbert White, so much 

 neglected nowadays by the professional biologist that the 

 amateurs, as represented by field naturalists, have lost touch 

 with the professional. Every one should take the trouble 

 to become acquainted with the inconspicuous but always 



