PREFACE 



The purpose of this book is threefold: 



1. To interest children in flowerless plants and to 

 lead them to a desire for further knowledge. 



2. To present a few facts in such a way as to en- 

 able the reader to discover for hinself others equally 

 interesting. 



3. To aid many who have found it difficult to ob- 

 tain information on this subject without a tedious 

 search through volumes not easily procured. 



It is earnestly to be hoped that this book will in no 

 sense displace the study of the real plants, but that 

 it may be rather an incentive and an aid to field work. 

 More can be learned out "under the open sky" than 

 from any book, and there is greater pleasure in knowl- 

 edge thus gained. This book is but an introduction 

 to nature's flowerless plants, for this is all that can be 

 presented in so small a volume. 



An effort has been made to secure illustrations that 

 will be helpful, and to keep the language within the 

 comprehension of the young readers, whom we wish 

 to reach. For this reason few technical terms have 

 been used, and these in such a way as to be readily 

 understood. 



For several years the author has studied nature in 

 the woods and fields, and at home with the micro- 

 scope. Among the books consulted which have been 



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