Collaboration of taxonomists and draughtsmen

The preparation of botanical drawings is a craft in its own right, and furthermore, draughtsmen are human beings. Even these simple truths are trodden down by the taxonomist who during a final hour hands the draughtsman a bundle of specimens and some hasty indications. Naturally the result is anguish and confusion. Let us therefore add some observations to improve the situation. First: a botanical artist looks at plants with a different eye from the taxonomist – that’s why he is an artist and not a scientist. Fortunately, some overlap exists, where the two can meet.