vated plants, than to find, even in the most commonplace walk, what an immense variety of different kinds species, as they are called botanically-he has, day by day, perhaps trodden under foot, without an idea of their existence. Interest succeeds astonishment; he finds a new source of pleasure opened up, and one which gives not only pure anl healthy thoughts to the mind, but health to the body, by affording inducements to exercise, and adding to the latter that excitement which gives it a tenfold value. Few pursuits in which the mind can engage are purer, or have more tendency to afford innocent and happy thoughts, than the study of flowers generally; and though it may be some advantage to possess gardens and conservatories well stocked with the gorgeous natives of other climates, the mere contemplation of these can never bring half the pleasurable excitement which the search after the wild denizens of our own country affords to the zealous collector and student. The former are the privileges of the rich, the latter are open to the poorest in the land; they are― "A blessing given E'en to the poorest little one That wanders 'neath the vault of heaven." And now the blessed facility of the railway affords, even to the dweller in the heart of the Great Metropolis itself, opportunity, if he will, of practically studying one branch at least of natural history, which few who take up ever entirely abandon, and which many cultivate with the utmost zeal. Moreover, no other department of study requires such simple means for its prosecution, such trifling outlay in money. A magnifying glass and a couple of long needles will open up much that is beautiful and wonderful, and if the observer desires to preserve the objects of his study, a few sheets of paper, a board, and a heavy stone, is all the apparatus required. As in the present month-January-any notice of flowers must necessarily be extremely short, advantage has been taken to make the above general remarks; and as February is not much more prolific in subjects, we shall give under the head of that month-along with the flower list- a few plain directions on the mode of collecting, preserving, and drying plants. As, however, the mere collecting and drying of wild flowers can only be considered an amusement yielding comparatively little profit to the mind, the botanical learner ought, as a first step to more extended knowledge, to acquire the power of distinguishing plants from one another with accuracy and certainty, even though these plants have been previously unknown to him. To enable a person to do this, some knowledge of the organs of plants-Botanical Organography as it is called-and also of botanical terms -Terminology--is requisite; but sufficient for the purpose may quickly be acquired by a little attention. We do not, of course, recommend that any one should rest content with so superficial an accomplishment as the mere power of distinguishing one plant from another by name; but it is a beginning which, once made, will be the means of enticing many to a more extensive study of a most interesting science. The power of distinguishing plants, of making out their names, and thus of learning more about them, is given by a book, usually called a "Flora,” that is, a book containing a classified list of the wild plants of any country or district, described according to certain rules. Such a work, therefore, is indispensable to those who wish to prosecute their botanical studies properly. Various floras of Britain have been published; the best, probably, is that of Hooker and Arnott, though there are others at less price. Some information respecting the classification of plants, and of the rules according to which it is conducted, our readers will derive by reference to Part II. in the present volume. Again, it is repeated, the study of botany, and particularly of the wild flowers, is the branch of natural history most generally accessible to all. That it may be cultivated successfully even by those who apparently have no facility for it whatever, is evident from the well-known fact, that some of the most zealous botanical collectors in the kingdom are to be found among the working-men of Manchester. One word is here necessary to prevent misapprehension. In using the word flower, it is not meant to indicate those plants solely which attract and delight the eye, but all uncultivated plants, from what are classed as the meanest weeds upwards. There is not one which does not become to the careful examiner interesting and beautiful, which does not tell of Him who can we say of them? The cold and ungenial month gives, indeed, but little encouragement to the intending and inexperienced collector and observer of wild flowers, although to the confirmed botanist it yields many objects of interest amid the lower tribes. of vegetable existence; many of these, such as the lichens, being now gathered in perfection. Even in January, however, especially if the weather is open, a walk may be gladdened by the sight of one or two flowers which seem at home in every month of the twelve. Best and longest known of all, the "modest, crimson-tipped flower," the daisy-or, as Chaucer calls it, day's-eye-rears its blossoms in all seasons, and in almost every situation, on "hill and dale, and desert sod." Pluck it, and look at it; it is not one flower, but many; it belongs to the composite flowers, that is, its head or blossom is composed of numerous florets inclosed in one green envelope, or, as it is called, involucre-Fig. A 115, 1-which resembles the calyx, or green cup of single flowers, but yet is not a true calyx. Do not, however, confound the compound flower of the daisy with the double flowers of cultivation; these, such as the rose, are not composed of florets, but of leaves, cr rather, as they are called, petals, and their green cup is a true calyx. The botanical name of the daisy, Bellis perennis, is derived from the Latin, expressive of prettiness, and its French name, "Marguerite," like our Margaret, from the word for a 115. Composite head of cominon Daisy-1, general involucre. |