PREFACE Vll 



is, so far as I know, based on my own observations and 

 is not to be found in any previously published work, at 

 least to my knowledge. 



I have consciously used working hypotheses very 

 freely, because they so often afford a ready method of 

 understanding a whole series of details ; it does not 

 necessarily follow that I regard these working hypo- 

 theses as proved. 



I have spared no trouble in trying to bring the 

 work up-to-date, but this is an impossible task without 

 almost infinite resources. 



The illustrations have been in almost every case 

 either drawn from nature, photographed direct from 

 the plant, or sketched on the blackboard (from micro- 

 scope specimens when possible) and then .photographed. 



I must also acknowledge the kind help of Mr. 

 David Frew, B.A., on many occasions, and of Miss 

 W. Zamorska in the revision of the proofs. 



It is my earnest hope that this book may be of 

 real value to all who study plants either for love or for 

 profit, or for both, and that it may suggest to them 

 some of the many interesting problems v/hich are 

 inviting the attack of the British botanist. 



G. F. SCOTT ELLIOT. 



28M Oc^., 1902. 



