VI PREFACE. 



student of greater value than fine distinctions, and that 

 a more elaborate view of the stele may be deferred until 

 he has more knowledge of plant anatomy. 



As this book originally appeared, the description of 

 the germination of the bean contained a blunder which 

 is now set right. I am indebted to Mr Heber Smith 1 

 for pointing out that the part played by the micropyle, in 

 the emergence of the radicle, is often wrongly given. I 

 regret that I have not room in the text for a fuller account 

 of the process such as is supplied by Mr Heber Smith's 

 letter. 



The substance of the book was given in the form of 

 lectures on Elementary Biology to Cambridge students. 

 This the Botanical course for medical students is now 

 given by Mr F. F. Blackman, who has introduced certain 

 improvements, notably in the addition of Fucus as a type 

 of reproduction. But I think it will be found that what- 

 ever value my little book had as an introduction to the 

 study of plants, it retains in relation to Mr Blackman's 

 course of instruction. 



Except where otherwise specified, the illustrations 

 have been drawn from nature by Miss D. F. M. Pertz, 

 and by Dr W. G. P. Ellis, formerly Demonstrator in 



1 Nature, Feb. 4, 1909. 



