PREFACE 



problem referred to. Each chapter will be found 

 to contain suggested solutions. 



In the chapter on " Sensitive Plants " many 

 of the principles of the mnemic theory, and the 

 inheritance of acquired characters, promulgated by 

 Dr. Francis Darwin in his Presidential address 

 to the British Association on September 2nd, 

 1908, are, apparently, largely implied ; although 

 at the time the address was delivered the book 

 was being printed. 



Regarding the illustrations, the publishers have 

 spared no expense ; all are printed from blocks 

 prepared especially for this volume. 



If this book serve to encourage Nature lovers 

 to pursue their investigations into her secrets on 

 their own account, and help to direct them to 

 that end, and if at the same time (by means 01 

 the numerous illustrations) it bring to the town- 

 dweller a breath of the country, its author's 

 object will have been attained. 



J. J. w. 



RusiNURBE House, Coventry, 

 September, igo8. 



Vll 



