10 ^Botang 



THE STUDY OF PLANT LIFE 



This benelicent and abounding vegetation has 

 always attracted the observation and aroused the 

 curiosity of the human race. From the earliest 

 times plants have been more or less profoundly 

 investigated, their beauty and utility alike provoking 

 attention. Amid mistakes, myths, superstitions, the 

 inquiry has progressed, each generation arriving at 

 some real knowledge to add to the stock gained 

 before. Errors have been corrected, discoveries 

 made, mysteries unsealed, the study becoming more 

 and more beautiful under the search-lights of 

 science. In these days a young student ma}" easily 

 know as much about the plant world as Solomon, 

 Esculapius or Pliny. 



Xo pursuit is more conducive to health, happiness, 

 refinement of character than the study of plants. 

 This pleasing pursuit keeps one largely in the open 

 air, in company wdth pure and helpful thinking ; the 

 subjects for study are spread liberally on every hand. 

 Without books or instruments, simply by spending 

 leisure time and careful observation upon the plants 

 about his feet, one can become a fairly good botanist. 

 Aided by books, teachers, a cabinet, microscope, and 

 collections, one can make rapid advances in plant 

 lore. The passion for botanical work grows by in- 



