234 Instructions for the Formation of a Wiltshire Herbarium, 



early, the flowering and the fruiting stages frequently differ much, 

 although it may often happen that two of these stages can be got 

 on a single plant at once. 



The second object should be to show in some measure the range 

 of variation for the species, by adding abnormal forms or varieties 

 to the typical examples. It is too commonly the case that varieties 

 are neglected, instead of being carefully preserved. For instance, 

 one, "Furnaria capreolata," might have been kept to show the 

 species; but lo ! this species is now divided into numerous sub- 

 species, four of them held to be English ; consequently one 

 specimen can show but one of them, while all may be found in the 

 same county. 



A third object may be that of evidencing the localities for rare 

 species or remarkable varieties, 1 and especially such as are likely 

 to become extinct in the localities, as for example, " Carex tomen- 

 tosa," " Carduus tuberosus," " C. Woodwardii." Such specimens 

 in course of time become historical facts in our science. 



Fourthly, the general range of the species in the county may be 

 shown by specimens from different and distant localities, in each of 

 the five comital sections into which Wiltshire has been divided, for 

 the better illustration of its Flora. The mode by which individual 

 members may each and all contribute to this object, is by sending 

 specimens of any Wiltshire plants — rare or common — from different 

 localities, with their habitats carefully recorded on accompanying 

 labels, in order that the Curator may select for permanent preserv- 

 ation such of these specimens and labels as shall seem best calcu- 

 lated to show the actual distribution of plants in the county, and 

 to throw light upon the circumstances which operate in determining 

 their distribution. The selection of the specimens will, of course, 

 be chiefly dependent upon the accuracy with which their habitats 

 may be described on the accompanying labels ; reference, however, 

 being always made to those already in the herbarium, so as to 

 prevent the unnecessary accumulation of specimens which can throw 



1 Darwin's remarkable book, the u Origin of Species," will render the preser- 

 vation of local varieties matter of enhanced importance to all olasses of 

 naturalists. 



