54
THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
came and the date when they were collected ; the large white
box can be placed in the store box, and the seeds of the Wood
Anemone will then be curated.
Let the next species be the Columbine, the only one of its
genus, and requiring only a small pill-box ; the question is what
else is to be put into the white box along with it, and that
question should always be decided whenever a box is started.
In order to keep close allies together it is as well to consult
a Flora if in any doubt. Aquilegia belongs to the tribe Helle-
boreae, which includes also Caltha, Trollius, Helleborus, Eranthis,
Delphinium, and Aconitum.
Caltha and Trollius must be allowed a box to themselves,
because the seed-mass of Helleborus foetidus means that its-
genus will want one to itself, and possibly more, so I allow two
for Helleborus and Eranthis. Aquilegia will therefore need
a separate box to receive Delphinium and Aconitum as well,
three plants which are certainly pretty near allies.
A third acquisition is quite likely to be Ranunculus bulbosus,
one of a comparatively large genus of over 40 species and
varieties. It is, however, split up into sub-genera, which is
a considerable help, and bulbosus is the last one in the Catalogue
that belongs to Hecatonia ; it will, therefore, be the last entry
on the lid of its white box, upon which I should also enter repens
and acris, despite its three varieties, making a possible six in all,
none of which will require anything larger than a small pill-
box, six of which will go into one white box. Thus we
again put close allies together, and the practical point about
taking some pains not to separate them is that when engaged
in a comparative study of a group it is much more convenient
to have them in one box instead of two.
In this case I have left no room for expansion, despite what
I have said about elasticity, (1) because they are such close
allies ; (2) because three of the six prospective occupants are
varieties often difficult to get, and of secondary importance sa
far as dispersal is concerned, although frequently of great interest,
and (3) because it is wise always to have a few empty white boxes
in each store box, and if it becomes necessary in the future to use
two, where one sufficed before, it is not much trouble to put
the second in its right place, shifting the others accordingly.