Numbering Marks or Tallies for Plants. 



349 



which is a transverse section of the stick. On the narrowest 

 side we notch the number corresponding with that of the 

 genus, in the catalogue Fig. 4, A. Its being rather more 

 easy to cut the numbers on the smaller than on the larger 

 surface, is the reason for preferring the former for the 

 genus, the number of which is, in most cases, greater than 

 that of the species. On the opposite and wider side, we 

 put the number of the species, Fig. 4, B ; and if there be a 

 variety, we put it on one of the intermediate sides, 



Fig. 4, a* 



By this simple method, in going over the garden with the 

 catalogue in our hand, we can see at once the genus, species, 

 and variety of any plant we wish to look for ; and in putting 

 in plants, we have always the means ready at hand of 

 placing the numbers with them, without the apparatus of 

 whitened tallies, with ink, blacking, or any of those trouble- 

 some expedients in common use. The sticks themselves, 

 which may be painted of a dark colour, and kept always 

 at hand, are, besides, less conspicuous and unsightly than 

 the usual large white marks with writing on them, and they 

 are not so easily effaced. 



I am, my dear Sir, 



yours most faithfully, 



Alexander Seton. 



Stamford Hill, 

 March 24, 1817. 



* The plant marked by way of example, at Fig. 4, may be supposed to be 

 Narcissus Tazetta, Far. Soleil a" or. The side A denotes the genus Narcissus, 

 which is No. 428 in the catalogue; the side B has the number 19, that of the 

 species Tazetta, of which the Soldi a" or, marked on the side C, is the third 



