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BY JAMES BARNSTON, M.D., Edin., PBOFESSOR OF BOTANY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF McGlLL COLLEGB, MONTREAL. From, the Canadian Naturalist and Geologist. iWontreal : PRINTED BY JOHN LOVEI-L, CANADA DIRECTORY OFFIOBj ST. NICHOLAS STUBBT. 1857. (iV) II I >J^ T B TO THE YOUNG BOTANIST, HOW TO COLLECT, VHESERVE AND ARRANGE PLANTS FOR THE IIERBARlUHr. The season for collecting plants in the vicinity of IMontreal may be said to commence towards the latter end of April and to ex- tend to the bcginniiio-of October. Bnt few plants will reward the early excursions of the botanist, who will measure their value and interest projjortionally. Immediately on the meltino- of the snow, apjiear the Hcpalica triloba, with its purplish-white flowers, the Saiif/uinaria Canadensis, with its palmate-lobed leaf and rich white llowei', and the delicate Cla;/tonia, with its pretty rose-co- lored corolla, and the discovery of oven one of these floral pioneers in early spring gives as much gratification to the mind of the ex- cursionist, as the richer and more luxuriant collections of midsum- mer. The Composite plants of August and September, the waving (Jrasses, the Ferns with their handsome fronds, and the delicate tufted Mosses adorn the autumnal season, whose close is marked by the bright and picturesque tints of leaves that once were green. The varieties of flowers characteristic of spring, summer and au- tumn, form a pleasing contrast to the mind, and this circumstance alone stimulates the enthusiasm of the botanist to continue his re- searches sedulously in the field till plants be no more. The young botanist, who commences the collection and preserv- ing of plants, should determine to prosecute his labours with zeal and assiduity. AVithout this ennobling spirit, be will ere long find what he at first considered a pleasure, to become an arduous task, fruitful of no enjoyment. Ilis excursions to the country should be frequent, and as varied as possible ; visiting mountain, hill, field, forest, valley, marsh, island, river and lake-shores. He should make a point, also, of collecting and preserving specimens of every plant that crosses his path, in order to render his berba- rium a complote ono. TTo cfia adopt no better plan at the boijin- ini,' than to confine bimsclf to a certain wcll-ili'liiu:(l district, and to collect all the jilants within it. When his herbarium of the dis- trict is complete, it Avill bo of <,n'cater value than a larovr but more scattered collection, and shtnild opjmrtunity permit, ht; can readily extend his researches over a wider ran^'o of country. To a resi- dent in Montreal, its ^b)untain, so rioh in plants and so near at liand, alVurds facilities for the formation of a l)eautifid herbarium of no small size, or the Island iUself, if botanized tbroujjfhout its Avhoh^ extent, uill furnisli a characteristic collection of jilants, many of them to be found within an extended rani^o of latitude and longitude on either side;. 'I'o relieve tlie monotony of a bo- tanical excursion, it is advisable to bo accom[)anied by one or more com])amons, who, besides atfording pleasant society, will often be more fortunate in findino- plants, and none more wil- ling to favor another with duplicate s])ecimen9. On starting upon a botanical excnrsion, it is requisite to bo equipped with convenient apparatus for collecting and carrying plants. The following maybe mentioned among the instruments most requii-ed : T. A good sloiif pockrl-spml or dtt/f/cr, made of steel, and fur- nished with a slightly curved wooden handle, pierced to allow a siring to pass throtigh, whereby it may be attached to a strap or belt round the waist. It will often be found nseful in digging out roots and detaching plants from the crevices of rocks. If it bo not obtained, a very good substitute is a slroiitj hroaJ Jcntf(\ which may be sharp on both edges, and introduced into a leather sheath made for tlie purpose. It will also serve to cut the branches of shrubs and trees. II. A Va,-^cu/tnn or T'ni Bn.rjov the purpose of carrying plants. This should bo of sufticicnt dimensions to hold full sized specimens. A proper sized vasculum sliould be from 17 to 20 inches long, 7 to 9 inches wide and about 5 inches deep, and convex on the sides, so as to give more room within. The lid should be of largo size and well secured against accidental o])ening. Two loops may be placed on the lower surface to receive a strap, by means of which the box may be carried on the back or side. A vasculum of smaller size may also be carried for the purpose of receiving more delicate plants, Fei'ns, i\Iosses, «fcc. III. A Botanical Field Book will always be found convenient to preserve plants with very delicate flowers or leaves. It consists I .4 4 ■'Pi. 't.: ;:1 ■m- to 1)0 ti. i A At- of two boards, between wliicli is |>Iaco(l fi <|iiantity of absorbent papiiv ill foMod shi'cls, t'oriniiii'* tVoin twelve to twenty-rotir layers. 'L'lie plants are caroriilly ))Iared between those layers uf paper, and hubjei'ted to Inmiodiato jirossure by means of leaLli -r slrai)s at. tat'lied to tlie boards, 'riie field Uook may be made of any size to >uit llio fancy (»f collector. An ordinary i>t>rtf'ilio cutitaininsr bibulons ])aper will aiiswer etpially well, provirled a unifonn pres- sure can be a))plied to the plants. IV. A I'orkrf hetis or small mai^nifyinu'i^lass will sometimes be of nse ill examining,' the frnif of ierus, flosses, A'c, as well as the very delicate fresh-water J///" ainl microscopic Fanji. Ilfihould therefore be, in every botanical traveihr's jxicket. In colleetini^ botanical s[»e(;iinens, it should be ma-Je a rule, that, as far as ]»racticable, the entire [)!ant should be taken Avitli , its root, sttini, leaves and llowers. 'J'he specimen cannot be said to be jierfect without the fruit and seed; hence, should these not be obtained when the ]>lant is in full tlowcr, they can be i>'alhered at a later season. If the plant bo too laree to be taken entire, it •will suflice to possess a tlowerino- branch, the fruit and some well formed leaves. In this case, the collector should observe the characters of the parts not taken, as the bark, roots, t^'c., and also notice the form and size of the plant, more ^'specially if it be a shrub or tree. Another point to \n\ attended to is the collection of more than one specimen of ea(di species, which, after dryin<>-, will enable the botanist to make choice of the linest specimen for his herbarium and e-ive him the advantage of liaving duplicates for ex(;hange with other botanical collectors. As soon as gathered, the plants are to be oso of ascortaining the relalions anil dis|)osiLions of its parts, which are always referred to in botanical descriptions. l''or the purj)ose of drying jdants, it is necessary to have tho following ap|>aiatus : I. Ahsorhciit J'Kixr^ of good texture, and large si/c. — say 18 inches long by II broad, 'i'his will answer all ordinary plants, but in the case where the tl(»wers or leaves are delicate and cannot easily bo transferred, it is advisable to place tUlants newly collected, and for changing older collections in j)rocess of drying. As soon as the wet j)aper is removed, it should be hung up or spread out to dry, so as to be ready for use when reipiired. II. Boiinh. 'fhesc are intended to be placed at certain inter- vals between the absorbent pa[»er, s}?-y at a distance of two inches, in order to })reservc a uniform pressure. They should be of the same size as the paper, and about \ of an inch in thickness. There should also be two boards, \ of an itich thick, to serve as strong outside boards — one undernealli, the other above. Sheets of tirm pasteboard are sometimes convenient for separating plants with stout woody stems from the more delicate ones, and thus preventing injury. They are also useful for packing up collec- tions of dried plants temporarily. III. A Lens, a small Knife or Scissors, and an ordinary pair of Forceps, should always be on the table for use when required. A sutlicient number of small slips of paper should be cut for the purpose of writing down the Name of each plant, the Order to which it belongs, its Habitat or place where found, the Date of gathering, and any other remarks that may bo considered worthy of notice — more cspcicially in relation to deviations in form, size* locality of growth, «i:c., etc. These slips or labels should be placed beside the plants to which they refer. n i. .7 ■v% ■M 5':- ;^ y, &c., )j(H't. of xmnino ciin be I to ill :\.\'c tli« -say 1« y pl.'Uita, (1 cannot kvithiii }i m wliic'li !iiui,u"ini;-. lit pjipor cl\iniu;ing Hit i):iper ) as to be lin inter- o iuflies, )« of the iit:knt»s. serve as Sheets nil i)liiiits ind thus p coUec- uivy '/xtir required. I, for tlie (;)rder to 3 Date of ed wortliy form, size? . be phiced 11 IV. Wiitflits are ro(|nired to a]>ply pressure to the j)hints after being' arranm-d in the jcipcr. If |Ii of tlie outside hoards is jilaced upon the ttible immediately in front t)f him, and over it two sheets of absorbent paper. lI|M»n this he spreads (Mit one or more spcei- mens aecoidiug to their size, and arranges the parts in such a manner as t»o priiserve as much as pi)ssible the natural liabit ami api)earance of the wlioh^ ]tlant. Should the [)lant be too largo for the pa])er, It is to be folded upon itself and the Hexure may be retained by passing it through a slip of pap(M-, f-lit half an inch more or less for the purpose. The laltel containing the name, etc., of the ])laiit is then to be ]»laced with it, and the whole is to be covered by four or six sheets of paper. In (b)ing this gradually from below upwards, care should be taken that every part of the j)laiit be well spread out. Tiie right hand will elfect this easily, with the assistance of the knife or Ibreeps, if l■<^|uiI•ell. The next spe(;imen or s(;t is to be arranged upon this in tlie same wav, and a similar number of sheets laid over it, repeating (he process till it is tiiought necessary to insert a thin board in order to preserve uniform ]tressure. Other parcels of paper and specimens are ar- ranged in like manner above it, and so on, till all the plants are prepared, when the second outside board is to be jdaeed on the top, the whole removed to a safe corner and the necessary weight, as formerly mentioned, applied. The plants are to be transferred from wet to dry paj)er with the utmost care, using both hands and the forceps, when necessary. The first changing sliould be within twelve hours, and the second likewise after the tirst, as a general I'ule. For the following live or six days, a change every twenty-four hours will suffice, after which the interval may be extended more or less. A pressure of ten or fourteen days will 8 cflVft tlu'. ilrviiii; |)('rly '0 dry r.'uits may bo wrapped in paper with the uanio of rho ])laiit lo \vliich they belon^f, and afti.'rwards plaivjd Avltli them in tlie herbarium, while hir^c sneeiilout i'rui' may be preserved in wide-mouthed, ylass-stoppeK^il bottles, conlaininii; alcohol, or a strong' >()lntion of salt and water, or pyroli('nero:>iiy will alwaxs prove as much a soni'(.'e of gratification to liimselt' as to the recipient of his favors. Nor is it a lost gift, as ere long he is doubly paid by the bounty of him whom he once befriend(;d. In forming a hetbarium, it is necessary to plaoe the plants either in still poi'tfolios or volumes, wliicii may be uumbered, or in wooere(l, or in uhle li'<^- c coUccLioii, , o-et a cahi- :)Ois and con- , shouhl be as epth 4 inches. ,1 9 Thfl trfVft may nnmlior twonty or iwcnty-fonr, (lispojtf'l in two r()W!», hnt the sizo ot' \\n' eahinet tlopcn.ls on iht) «!on<'i;lor liiiiiscif who JH hotter ahlc t<> jinl'-T'' of lii> ii'niiiri'meiits, llaviii:^ wheii'in to plare his plants, Ik; now pn'paros lln-m fi- nally for pn'sorvation. I'or this purpose, ho mnst have a t|nau- tity ot' ifooil thii'k wliil(» paper, cnt in hiiiifh^ sheets, ami nn'asnr- inuf 17 iiiehfs in len.>lh ami H».^ inches in widtli * In all herhii- ria, tlie i»lants slitiuld he taste ned to the paper hy white tlin'mlor, what is better, by means oi' thin line nim', or a solution of y;niri Arabic and irum Tra'-aeaiith in a sulliciencv of water. The nnxhi of pn>ee(lnriM!< ns follows: The operator places n sheet of papi*r in front of liim and lays the plant to he liistened to it n[ion a newspai)er on his let't side, with its npper smface undernnKst. Tlui ghio is then applied carefully to its under surface by means of a ♦'ainel's iiair pencil, innnediately after which, the plant is to bo lifted and turned by the tuiu'ers or forceps and transt'erred to the sheet of pnper upon which the root, steui, leases and tlowers aro to be slightly pressed. Two or even three specimens of the sauK? species may be ])laced on the sine), ])rovi(led there bo sullicient room. Tne name of the plant is then to he neatly written at tint l)Ottom of the sheet, <^enerally on the riujht hand side, with its lo- cality or habitiil, date of colled in^•, and other particulars if worthy of notice. As soon as this is done, the specimen is to bi; put under a slin-ht and uniform ])ressure for an hour or two and af- terwards removed to its proper plact; in the cabinet. The other specimcMis are to bo prepared in the same way, and should tho :-tf!ms be stront!; and thick, tluiy may be more firmly secure I by narrow strips of i,'Kmmed ])aper, laid transversely across. In or- d(!r to preserve the. specimens tVom the attacks of insects, they may be lightly touched with a solution of corrosive .sublimate in camporated spirit, say half a drachm to the ounce. The plants thus prepared for being received into the hcrl>arium, aro to be arranged according to some approved method of classi- fication. Of the Natural Systems, the one adopted by Professor A.sa Gray in his " Manual of the Uotany of tho Northern United States," has many advantages, and recommends itself to tho botanical collector in (Canada on acconut of its applicaticjn to the Hotany of those countries immediately adjoining this Province, a * Tho best paper of the kind is that sold by Messrs. Weir «& Dunn, of this city, under the name of B. Laid Medium 34 lbs, flat (Mill GO.) 10 vast number of whose plants grow in common with the Northern State?. With the " Manual " as a guide, there will be no diffi- culty in arran2;ing the plants and classifying them according to their exact relations. In placing thorn in the herbarium, all the Species of a Genus should be put together, and each Genus should be marked and separated by a single sheet of firm coloured paper of fine texture. Iho plants included in each Natural Order should be inserted within a sheet of larger and stift'er paper, as cartridge paper, to which the name of the Order is attached so as to be readily seen when reference requires to be made to it. The only other points of importance regarding the herbarium are, that it should be well secured under lock and key and put in a safe and dry place, and the trays subjected to an occasional airing to prevent the adhering of moisture to the paper, and thus preserving the specimens from becoming mouldy. Northern no diffi- ording to f a Genus rked and iB texture. a inserted paper, to adily seen her points Id be well place, and ! adhering nens from WM' 4 \i\