VI PREFACE 



impression, that the mere description of a plant, or part 

 of a plant, in scientific terms, constitutes the end, 

 instead of the very beginning of the Science of Botany. 



That I have been obliged to say chlorophyll instead 

 of " leaf green," or cavibiuni instead of " building ring," 

 is not my fault. These terms have been fastened on 

 the English language, and it would be hypercritical to 

 displace them. I have gone as far as I dared, not as 

 far as I would like, in the direction of suppression. 



Every detail in the structure of a plant has 

 both a history and a meaning. My aim has been to 

 point out how the student of Nature can follow part 

 of the history, and can discover the meaning. This is 

 not very difficult, provided that the right method is 

 followed, which is, to begin with the plant, and then to 

 use the books. It has not been part of my scheme to 

 bring my own work prominently forward. I have been 

 thankful to utilise everything which I could find (see 

 bibliography) that seemed in any way to the point. 

 More especially, the valuable works of Lord Avebury, 

 Kerner Von Marilaun's Natural History of Plants, 

 and Warming's and Ludwig's Handbooks, have been 

 found indispensable. 



It is impossible to mention here all those whose 

 observations have been found useful, and to whom there- 

 fore my thanks are due. The references will be found 

 in the bibliography arranged in such a way that they 

 can be checked in the book itself. Many statements 

 and explanations in the text, which appear to contradict 

 well-known British authorities, depend on German or 

 other authors, whose works are not so well known in 

 Britain. 



Nevertheless, I must run the risk of criticism with 

 regard to a considerable proportion of the book, which 



