PLANTS 77 



known to the collector, and these should be set down; for 

 example, the height of the plant, whether a tree, shrub, or woody- 

 vine, its relative abundance, the kind of place in which it grows — 

 swamp, forest, open brushy slope, grassy plain, or beach — its 

 common name, the color of its flowers, and the like. Is the plant 

 poisonous? Has it medicinal uses? Do the natives use it as a 

 stupefying fish poison (suggesting that it may prove to be a 

 valuable insecticide)? Is the fruit edible? Any information of 

 this sort should be entered under each number and should cover 

 such points as cannot be made out by examining the specimen 

 itself. 



One point more: Collection numbers should run from 1 

 upward in a single continuous series, no matter how many 

 years and countries are concerned. Do not start with number 1 

 each year or at each new locality. Failure to observe this rule 

 has resulted in great confusion. 



Finally, remember that a few well-prepared ample specimens 

 accompanied by full data and special information are worth 

 dozens of poor specimens with scant or faulty data; and make 

 your specimens as nearly complete as possible. The botanist 

 needs complete specimens, but very often he does not get them, 

 even from professional collectors. 



WOODS 



Wood specimens to have the greatest scientific value must 

 be accompanied by mature leafy twigs and fruit or flowers from 

 the same tree, this material being prepared according to the 

 directions for collecting plants given above. All specimens from 

 one tree should bear the same collection number. 



Collection is speeded by the use of loggers' tools, an ax, cross- 



6 



