Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club/Volume 1/04

BULLETIN
OF THE
TORREY BOTANICAL CLUB.
Vol. 1. ]	New-York, April, 1870.	[ No. 4.

13

35. The season for herborizing has now fairly commenced, when the lover of plants will seize every opportunity to revisit his favorites, and study their habits.   This seems a fitting occasion to remind him, that classification, though highly important, is only one branch of Natural History, and that far more may be learned of every species than the meager description proper to the Manual.  The ideal local Flora should contain a full account of all the traits and habits of the vegetable world within its limits.  There are many facts not to be gathered or but very imperfectly from the fullest herbaria, — facts which no doubt have, many of them, been noticed and stored up, in a scattered way, in the minds of individual observers, but which, being unrecorded, are lost, to the great detriment of science.  We look forward to the time when New York shall possess a tolerably complete local Flora, and, with this view, wish to suggest some points, which it is desirable to have reported.  First, there is the period of the successive changes in the plant from the opening of the buds and flowers to the fall of the seed and leaves, or decay of the whole plant; and, what is of more consequence than the month or the day, the relative time in comparison with others, particularly of the same genus or orders, and the variations in this respect, in different seasons or localities.  We want much fuller information than we have yet about the earlier leaves of plants, and the tendencies of some to drop, and of others to keep their leaves.  Secondly, it is necessary to note the geological character of the soil and situation, and whether it be moist or dry, and its exposure.  Likewise, what plants are associated together, or seek the shelter, or society of others.  Next, the conformation of the flower in reference to its fertilization, and whether the male or female organs are the first to mature; what insects visit or feed on the plants, — and in this let us hope that the votaries of the sister science of Entomology will aid us.  Then there are the interesting subjects of the economy of the roots and rootstocks, of the buds, and of the seeds.  All monstrosities are worthy of careful consideration, not only as throwing light on general morphology, but on the history of the plant itself.  For every species has had a long history, and it is only by the most minute study, with all the concentrated lights of science, that we can hope to get some insight into it.  This to many is the chief attraction of the subject, and we must ever, with Colden, the earliest botanist of the State, make it the object and guide of our studies, “reruni cognoscere causas.”  It should be remembered that farmers and men whose lives are passed in handling plants, have often made interesting observations, and their sympathy may be enlisted to preserve some rare situation.

We see that very much remains to be accomplished, and that those who are disposed to assist, can never want for subject matter.   Every one with eves for vegetable life might become a contributor, and would be gladly welcomed.