GENERAL REMARKS. 
47 
ent modes of cultivation ; they call the double flowers and the variegated 
ones, produced by a mixture of different species, monsters and deformities. 
These are rather harsli expressions to be applied to Roses and Carnations, 
which our taste must lead us to admire as intrinsically beautiful, although 
their relative beauty, as subservient to scientific illustration, is certainly 
destroyed by the labour of the gardener. The love of native wild flowers is 
no doubt greatly heightened by the habit of seeking them out, and observing 
them in their peculiar situations ; a Botanist will often, at the discovery of 
some lowly plant, growing by the side of a brook, or almost concealed in 
the cleft of a rock, experience a more vivid delight than could be produced 
by a view of the most splendid exotic. Botanical pursuits render us inter- 
ested in every vegetable production ; even such as we before looked upon 
as useless, present attractions, as objects of scientific investigation, and be- 
come associated with the pleasing recollections, arising from the gratifica- 
tion of our love of knowledge.* 
GENERAL REMARKS. 
It is desirable, that the parlours of those ladies, who have the 
advantages of intellectual improvement, should more frequently 
exhibit specimens of their own scientific taste. All the 
fashionable et ceteras of scrap books, engravings and albums, do 
not reflect upon their possessor any great degree of credit. To 
paste pictures, or pieces of prose or poetry, into a book ; or to 
collect in an album the wit and good sense of others, are not proofs 
of one’s own acquirements ; and the possession of elegant and 
curious engravings, indicates a full purse, rather than a well stor- 
ed mind ; but herbariums and books of impressions of plants , 
drawing-; &c, show the taste, and scientific knowledge of those 
who execute them. 
It is unfortunately too much the case, that female ingenuity, 
(especially in the case of young ladies after leaving school) is in 
a great degree, directed to trivial objects, which have no refer- 
ence either to utility, or to moral and intellectual improvement. 
But a taste for scientific pursuits once acquired, a lady will feel 
that she has no time for engagements, which neither tend 
to the good of others, or to make herself wiser or better. 
* manner of takixg impressions of leaves. — Hold oiled paper over 
the smoke of a lump until it becomes darkened; to this paper, apply the 
leaf, having previously warmed it between the hands, that it maybe pliant. 
Place the lower surface ol' the leaf upon the blackened paper, that the nu- 
merous veins which run through its extent, and which are so prominent on 
this side, may receive from the paper, a portion of the smoke. Press the 
leaf upon the paper, by placing upon it some thin paper and rubbing the 
fingers gently over it, so that every part of the leaf may come in contact 
with the sooted oil paper. Then remove the leaf, and place the sooted side 
upon clean white paper, pressing it gently as before ; upon removing the 
leaf, the paper will present a delicate and perfect outline, together with an 
accurate exhibition of the veins which extend in every direction through it, 
more correct and beautiful than the finest drawing. 
Monsters — Effect of Botanical pursuits. — General remarks on females pos- 
sessing scientific knowledge. — Female ingenuity too often directed to triv- 
ial objects. 
