COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF SPECIMENS. 73 



To examine a dried plant, moisten it well with warm 

 water, if expedition is necessary. Tuberous or bulbous 

 roots should have a piece cut off the side on which they 

 are to be fastened to the paper. A journal of remarks, and 

 a progressive number given to each specimen, recorded on 

 the paper on which it is preserved, and under which number 

 full particulars respecting it are entered in the journal, will 

 render matters methodical and easy from the start. There 

 are not wanting in Australia lovers of botany, who, if the 

 suggestion were made, would think it worth while to offer 

 prizes to scholars for the best collection of dried plants 

 within a given time, accompanied by an intelligent explana- 

 tion of them. Nor need this incentive be offered only to 

 the young. If it be a healthy sign to find all classes of the 

 community taking an interest in flower and fruit shows, 

 and competing for prizes at them, it will be conceded that 

 a pursuit which must necessarily cause the mind to retain 

 the knowledge of a number of plants, is certainly not inferior 

 in usefulness. The man who cultivates beautiful flowers 

 has provided himself with an intellectual, healthful, and 

 pleasurable occupation; but he who commences the forma- 

 tion of a herbarium must employ comparison, observation, 

 and reflection ; and if he enters upon the undertaking 

 heartily, he cannot fail to acquire knowledge which — 

 especially in a young country like Australia — may prove 

 of infinite use to himself or his family in a realistic point 

 of view. 



'Small beginnings have often great endings,' and the 

 most abstruse science may be presented in such a manner 

 as to prove attractive to the student. If, as the author 

 hopes, his suggestions are adopted by school teachers 



