114 Hairs of Plants. 



vital activity of the cell."* This ' ' nucleus" will be easily recog- 

 nized as a stationary mass of protoplasm. 



The interest derivable from these inquiries will be much 

 increased by paying attention to the botanical characters of 

 plants, and observing in succession several members of the 

 same family, noticing both resemblances and differences. 

 Botany is, from its profusion of hard words, a very alarming- 

 looking study ; but a very moderate amount of trouble will 

 enable any one to learn enough of the principles of classifica- 

 tion to ascertain, with the help of a good book, the family 

 genus, and generally the species to which a plant belongs. It 

 is a bad plan for any one not studying under a good botanist, 

 whose verbal explanations can at once remove difficulties, to 

 begin with costly and elaborate text-books. A simple ele- 

 mentary work, like Spencer Thomson's Wayside Weeds,-f 

 will form a much better introduction; and when a few easily- 

 obtained plants have been examined as he directs, the student 

 will be prepared to profit by the British and Garden Botany 

 of Mr. Leo Grin don, J which is the easiest and most convenient 

 book for general reference that has been produced. The works 

 we have named are both cheap, and their possession will 

 greatly augment the quantity of amusement and instruction 

 to be obtained by means of a microscope. The writings of 

 our great botanists, Lindley, Hooker, Babington, etc., will be 

 all the better appreciated if studied after some preliminary 

 knowledge has been gained. 



The interest arising from the study of plant hairs will be 

 assisted by a regular method of viewing them. First in situ, 

 with a low power, so that their general form, grouping, and 

 situation, with respect to veins, stomata, etc., may be seen. 

 Then a minute examination with higher powers, and lastly the 

 -employment of polarized light. 



* The Microscope and its Revelations. Third Edit. p. 409. 

 t Groonibridge and Sons. 1864. J Eoutledge. 



