PREFACE 



Since a realistic foundation in plant anatomy depends upon 

 thorough laboratory practice, there appears to be a definite need 

 for a guide which will both direct as w^ell as orient the student 

 in his individual studies. The present book has been written 

 from this standpoint and is therefore intended for use in the 

 laboratory. Each exercise contains an introductory section in 

 which an effort is made to summarize briefly but clearly the 

 present status of knowledge of the subject for study. This 

 "Introduction" is in no sense to be regarded as a substitute for 

 collateral reading in the standard texts in plant anatomy and in 

 the selected modern literature which are appended at the end 

 of each exercise. But the author's experience has led to the 

 conviction that a wholly unnatural and artificial gap may easily 

 occur between ''theory" and "practice" in the teaching of plant 

 anatomy. To quote from De Bary's classic of 1884, "On the 

 anatomy of plants such an indescribable amount has been written 

 that, in a' comprehensive treatise, one or many authors might 

 be cited in reference to every word. ' ' The truth of this statement 

 is of course self-evident today and the beginner in anatomy is 

 often confused as well as discouraged by the wealth of detail 

 and maze of controversy presented in many anatomical texts. In 

 the present book, therefore, the aim has been to articulate as far 

 as possible the practical study of laboratory material with the 

 best of modern interpretation and theory. By this means the 

 student, through his own work in the laboratory should be able 

 gradually to acquire a practical basis for the critical evaluation 

 of theory. 



The material suggested for study under each exercise has 

 been selected, as far as possible, from types of plants readily 

 available to most teachers. An effort has been made to avoid 

 rare or unusual plants and frequent reference is made to forms 

 of economic importance to man. Wherever it seemed desirable, 

 alternative material has been listed. 



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