By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 



255 



may prove needful in drying very succulent plants, but with plenty of 

 paper these processes may safely be looked upon as an unnecessary 

 waste of time, and they are often more injurious than beneficial to 

 the specimens themselves. In addition to the dried specimens for 

 fastening on paper, contributors are particularly requested to send 

 also small packets of the seeds of local and rare plants, when 

 opportunities occur for obtaining them ; seeds often affording clear 

 characters for the discrimination of genera and species. 



Lastly. It is trusted that the contributors to the Herbarium will 

 find a recompense for their exertions in the gratification of learning 

 thoroughly the botanical productions of their own neighbourhoods, 

 and in the consciousness that much of the information so acquired 

 will become, (through their contribution to the Society,) a 

 permanent addition to the general stock of scientific knowledge, to 

 be transmitted to future generations. 



As the Herbarium has only just been started, it is useless 

 specifying what species are required and what are not. At present 

 even the commonest species will be acceptable, and as specimens are 

 of more importance than names, it is hoped that those who feel 

 inclined to aid in the work, even though they be not botanists, 

 will not think it useless sending un-named plants, provided the 

 dates when the specimens were gathered, and the localities where 

 they grew be carefully recorded ; the names can easily be added 

 afterwards, and the specimens thus rendered available for the 

 Herbarium. 



As soon as the Herbarium is of sufficient size, it is proposed to 

 send out from time to time lists of desiderata, but at present 

 every part of Wiltshire has to be represented. The accompanying 

 map will show the five divisions into which the county has been 

 divided, and it is intended to form a complete flora for each. 



Packets of specimens may be sent, carriage paid, to the Rev. 

 T. A. Preston, the College, Marlborough, in whose charge the 

 Herbarium will be for the present, and who will be glad to furnish 

 any information in connection with this object, or to receive names 

 of those who may feel inclined to aid in the work. 



