Vlll PREFACE 



It is devoted to the close study of the Inflorescence and 

 Flowers of our Trees and Shrubs, and since the Natural 

 System of Classification, now in use all over the world, 

 is based on this study of the floral organs, the Scheme 

 of Classification here employed retains all the essentials 

 of that system, and that in proper order. Hence the 

 student will here find an epitome of the Natural System 

 illustrated by critical studies of Woody Plants. 



It would obviously be absurd to pretend that such an 

 epitome could be prepared entirely devoid of techni- 

 calities. I have, however, so carefully guarded every 

 avenue to reproach on this score, that it is confidently 

 anticipated that even the amateur reader and botanist 

 will exonerate me from blame : it is absolutely inexpe- 

 dient, and often impossible, to avoid the use of words like 

 Hypogynous, Dichlamydeous, Calyciflorce, Gamopetalous 

 and so forth, just as it would be impracticable to attempt 

 to obviate words like Port, Helm, Hawser, Painter, &c., 

 in seamanship. . Such terms are justified by the clear 

 ideas they denote and by the time they save in speaking 

 and writing; and strictly speaking it would be as reason- 

 able to refuse to term a flower, of which the parts of the 

 Corolla have all grown up into one whole, " Gamopetalous'' 

 as it would be to try to avoid the technical term 

 " Handle-bar " or " Gear-case " for a now well known part 

 of a Bicycle. 



In order that even the uninitiated may read the book 

 without fear of the technical terms, moreover, I have 



