98 
REMARKS ON THE PREPARATION 
The desirability of possessing carefully worked records of 
local Botany being admitted, I will pass on to consider the 
manner in which a work of this kind should be produced, in 
order to possess true scientific value; throwing out a few crude 
thoughts upon various portions of the subject as they are reviewed. 
In the first place, respecting the man who may endeavour to 
construct a Local Flora. 
He will be of course an experienced Botanist, fairly acquainted 
with our critical genera, otherwise his labour in going over the 
same ground repeatedly will be vastly increased. 
F urther, it is most desirable that he should not have confined 
his studies to the Botany of this country, but should have a 
comprehensive knowiedge of European plants. He will then 
know what to look for, and will the more readily recognize 
continental species : stragglers, introductions, or otherwise, which 
may exist in his area. For like reasons, he should be acquainted 
with the Flora of the country adjoining his particular district. 
Other desirable qualifications are, a good development of the 
sense of colour, and a quick and trained eye to differentiate. 
Granted that he is an enthusiastic worker, able to devote entire 
leisure to this pursuit, let him be also a man of little faith, wary 
and circumspect in adopting the views of others, patiently and 
cautiously investigating all things for himself. Lastly, by all 
means, let physical vigour be added to mental capacity, so shall 
our author be enabled to brave exposure, and withstand fatigue 
during his lengthy rambles. 
As the first preliminary to actual work, the district to be 
examined must be mapped out, and a natural or arbitrary limit 
assigned to it. 
For an inland Flora, it seems to me that an area having a 
radius of seven miles wmuld afford ample scope for the exertions 
of any Botanist, however energetic, who works single-handed and 
hopes to publish his work in a state approaching completeness. 
