32 SEA MOSSES. 



are written from herbarium specimens, and describe 

 them as they appear spread out on paper. And yet 

 where there are characteristic points to be seen when 

 the plant is found growing in its native element, they 

 are mentioned. You will therefore find it particularly 

 serviceable in identifying mounted specimens. And 

 knowing these, you will have little trouble in recogniz- 

 ing them living. But the important question is, how 

 shall you bring the book and the plant together, so 

 as to make the one guide the learner to the other. 

 First of all by paying careful attention to what the 

 book says, for, in every instance, it puts the emphasis 

 of its description upon the distinguishing mark of the 

 species. In the next place, use your eyes in looking 

 at the plant, and use your powers of mental observation. 

 Do not be of those who " having" eyes see not." Now 

 there are, as I conceive, two ways of bringing the 

 book and plant together. The first is by taking a 

 plant and hunting up its description and name in 

 the book. You have two ways for doing this : first, 

 see if the plant in question is figured in any of the 

 plates, if so, its name is there and it will be easy to 

 find the description. If you do not find it figured, 

 see if you do not find some plant figured, which is 

 near enough like the one you are studying, to be a 

 brother or cousin to it. If you do, that will give you 



