K^uANICaL excuesions. 
25 
Icaer envelope, called the corolla^ and an outer one, called the 
calyx. When there is but one envelope, as in the tulip, this is 
often called by the more general term oi perianth^ which signi- 
fies, surrounding the flower. Persons ignorant of botany, give 
exclusively the name of flower to these envelopes, which are 
often remarkable for the brilliancy of their colors, the elegance 
of their forms, and the fragrance of their perfumes. 
24. Method of preserving Plants, and of preparing an Herbarium. — Plants col- 
lected for analysis, may be preserved fresh many days in a close tin box, by occa- 
sionally sprinkling them with water ; they may also be preserved by placing their 
stems in water, but not as well by the latter as the former method. The botanical 
student should keep specimens of all the pLi'^ts which he can procure. An herba- 
riwn (hortus sicms), neatly arranged, is beautiful, and maybe rendered highly use- 
ful, by affording an opportunity to compare many species together, and it likewise 
serves to fix in the mind the characters of plants. It is a good method, in collect- 
ing plants for an herbarium, to have a portfolio, or a book in which they may be 
placed before the parts begin to wilt. Specimens should be placed between the 
leaves of paper, either newspaper, or any other kind which is of a loose texture, 
and will easily absorb the moisture of the plants ; a board with a weight upon it 
should then be placed upon the paper containing them ; the plants should be taken 
out frequently at first ; as often as once or twice a day, and the paper dried, or the 
plants placed between other dry sheets of paper. Small plants may be dried be- 
tween the leaves of a book. Plants differ in the length of time required for drying, 
as they are more or less juicy ; some dry in a few days, others not sooner than two 
or three weeks. When the specimens are dry, and a sufBcient number collected to 
commence an herbarium, a book should be procured, composed of blank paper 
(white paper gives the plants a more showy appearance). A quarto size is more 
convenient than a folio. Upon the first page of each leaf should be fastened one or 
more of the dried specimens, either with glue, or by means of cutting through the 
paper and raising up loops under which the stems may be placed. By the sides of 
the plants should be written the class, order, generic and specific name, with natu- 
ral order ; also tl>e place where found, and the season of the year. The colors of 
plants frequently change in drying; the blue, pale red, and white, often turn 
black, or lose their color ; yellow, scarlet, violet, and green, are more durable. An 
herbarium should be carefully guarded against moisture and insects ; as a security 
against the latter, the plants may be brushed over with corrosive sublimate or 
spirits of turpentine. 
25. Botanical Excursions. — As a healthful and agreeable exercise, we would 
recommend to the young, and to others wishing to retain tlie vigor and elasticity of 
youth, frequent botanical excursions ; we experience most pleasure from the 
science, by seeing the flowers in their own homes ; a dry grove of woods, the bor 
ders of little streams, the m-jadows, the pastures, and even the waysides, afford 
constant subjects for botanical observations. To the hardier sex, who can climb 
mountains, and penetrate marshes, many strange and interesting plants will present 
themselves, which cannot be found except in their peculiar situations ; of these, 
females must be content to obtain specimens, witliout seeing them in their native 
wilds. But it is generally easy to obtain such specimens, for there is among the 
cultivators of natural science, a generosity in imparting to others the treasures 
which nature lavishes upon those who have a taste to enjoy them. 
26. Poisono'us Plants, and those which are not Poisonous. — In collecting flowers, 
the student should be cautious with respect to poisonous plants. Such as have five 
stamens and one pistil, with a corolla of a dull, lurid color, and a disagreeable 
smell, are usually poisonous ; the thorn-apple {stramonium) and the tobacco are 
examples. The umbelliferous plants, which grow in wet places, have usually a 
24 Method of i)reserving plants, and of preparing an herbarium. — 25. Botanical excursiona. — 26. Foif 
•onous plants, &e. 
2 
