PREFACE. 



Of the convenience and utility of an Herbarium to 

 the Botanist, it is needless to say a word. The first 

 instinct of the student of Natural History is to col- 

 lect together specimens of the objects to which his 

 attention is directed. Indeed before long he becomes 

 aware of the positive necessity of having by him 

 examples, on which he can readily lay his hand, for 

 reference and comparison. Simple, however, as it 

 appears to be to make an Herbarium, there is no 

 point, respecting which the young naturalist (without 

 experience and without a guide) more frequently 

 violates the most important canons of science. The 

 correct representation of the natural habit of the 

 plant, and the best method of preserving it when 

 found, are the rocks on which the beginner constantly 

 makes shipwreck. Speaking generally, his errors 

 arise from giving either too much or too little atten- 

 tion to the matter. In the first case he looks only 

 to the beauty of the specimen, and its neat appearance 

 in the cabinet. He takes care — too much care, indeed 

 — to lay out the various parts in a manner to please 

 the eye, but without any reference to their natural 



