152 The Herbarium. 



THE HERBARIUM. 



As the season has commenced for the enjoyment of the most 

 delightful branch of botanical study, that of the collection of 

 plants for preservation, with all its accompanying pleasures of 

 free air, fine scenery, and the promotion of health, some direc- 

 tions in that behalf will no doubt be acceptable. To a quiet 

 and contented mind there is no more pleasant and desirable 

 recreation than that of roving the fields in search of plants, 

 seeking them out in their own fair homes, and studying the 

 structure of their delicate parts. It is a natural feeling 

 which prompts the wish to collect and preserve what has af- 

 forded so much pleasure, and many a tender thought, many a 

 dear recollection, many a loved scene, is suggested to the mind 

 by the withered flowers which so delighted us when they were 

 blooming and fresh. 



The following brief directions for the examination, the col- 

 lection, and the preservation of plants, are compiled from good 

 sources, and contain some of the suggestions of experience. 



For the examination and analysis of plants, a good magni- 

 fier is necessary, in order correctly to observe the more minute 

 parts, such as the stamens, pistil and seeds. A very excellent 

 single lens, put up in a compact and portable form, with proper 

 conveniences, may be obtained at a very moderate price at 

 Mr. Pike's, Optician, in Broadway. One of these will be found 

 to magnify sufficiently for ordinary purposes, and should be 

 carried in the pocket on all Botanical excursions. There are 

 many curious flowers, which are so delicate as to wither in a 

 very short time after they are gathered, and to examine these 

 properly, the magnifier should be always at hand. The fresh- 

 er, and more fully in blossom, the better is always a flower 

 for such examination. It would be superfluous to enlarge 

 upon the benefit to the botanist of the analysis and examination 

 of the objects of his study. Without this all reading is of 

 little avail, and more can be learned from correct observations 

 upon the plant itself, even when it is dried, than by a thousand 

 printed descriptions. During the flowering months', says that 



