78 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE FORMATION OF A COUNTY HERBARIUM.
Bell & Sons). It is a small book which can conveniently be carried
in the pocket, but which contains all the leading characters of our
plants, sufficiently set forth to determine doubtful points arising in
the field.
It now only remains to caution beginners to avoid the danger of
becoming mere collectors of plants, and to bear in mind that the
true object in studying the variations in plant-life should be to help
us to a knowledge of the wonderful secrets of nature, the search
after which raises man above the littleness of life, and enables him
to take his place in the duties, toils, and struggles of this world with
a calmness and pleasure denied to those whose thoughts never rise
beyond mere material gain, political ambitions, or other such gods
as man has set up.
I should, therefore, strongly recommend the field botanist, when
he finds himself becoming familiar with plants, to add to his library
such works as that by "dear Anne Pratt," with her charming bits of
folk-lore ; those masterpieces of botanical investigation, Darwin's
"Fertilization of Orchids," "Insectivorous Plants," "Climbing
Plants," and "Movements of Plants ;" also the now scarce Kerner's
"Flowers and their Unbidden Guests," Lubbock's "British Wild
Flowers in Relation to Insects," Masters' "Vegetable Teratology,"
and other works of a similar character. Nor should he omit to care-
fully read text-books on vegetable biology, and, if possible, familiarize
himself with the inner secrets of plant-life, by means of the
microscope ; for although it is almost necessary in the present day
for men to confine their special attention to one branch of a subject,
if they wish to excel, to be lasting, their work should be based upon
a broad knowledge of their subject in all its branches.
Heronry formerly at Bradwell-juxta-Mare.—Lately upon looking at the
6-inch ordnance map I saw "Heron Grove" marked at Bradwell. The name
being so suggestive I made enquiries, and Mr. John Chillingworth tells me that his
father well recollects the Herons roosting and nesting in "Heron Grove," about
thirty years ago. They left when the timber in it was felled about twenty-five years
since as near as possible, Mr. John Chillingworth just recollecting this. A few
birds continued to nest in "Bell-ropes Grove," which is nearer the water, as Mr.
Chillingworth's old shepherd remembers taking the eggs of at least one nest—
he thinks more—for his wife's use, who was then very ill. This was a few
years after the tall trees in "Heron Grove" were cut down, and he does not
recollect the Herons nesting in either grove since ; both groves are on Bradwell
Hall, of which Mr. Andrew Chillingworth is tenant. This record is quite distinct
from the nest on Bradwell Glebe mentioned in Essex Naturalist, ii., 174 —
Edward A. Fitch, Maldon.