PREFACE. 
Of the convenience and utility of an Herbarium to 
the Botanist, it is needless to say a word. The first 
instinct of the student of Natural History is to col- 
lect together specimens of the objects to which his 
attention is directed. Indeed before long he becomes 
aware of the positive necessity of having by him 
examples, on which he can readily lay his hand, for 
reference and comparison. Simple, however, as it 
appears to be to make an Herbarium, there is no 
point, respecting which the young naturalist (without 
experience and without a guide) more frequently 
violates the most important canons of science. The 
correct representation of the natural habit of the 
plant, and the best method of preserving it when 
found, are the rocks on which the beginner constantly 
makes shipwreck. Speaking generally, his errors 
arise from giving either too much or too little atten- 
tion to the matter. In the first case he looks only 
to the beauty of the specimen, and its neat appearance 
in the cabinet. He takes care — too much care, indeed 
— to lay out the various parts in a manner to please 
the eye, but without any reference to their natural 
