INTRODUCTORY. 3 
then sprout them and watch the growth of the seedlings 
which spring from them. Afterwards he may study in a few 
typical examples the organs, structure, and functions of 
flowering plants, trace their life-history, and so, step by step, 
follow the process by which a new crop of seeds at last 
results from the growth and development of such a seed as 
that with which he began. 
‘Meantime it will throw hght on the mode of growth of 
flowering plants to compare them with a few very simple 
flowerless plants. 
* After the whole round of vegetable life has been outlined 
from seed to seed, the student may learn a little about the 
never-ceasing struggle against unfavorable climates, poor soils, 
_ and the direct attacks of living enemies, — in short, the many 
kinds of adverse influences, such as all plants must meet and 
overcome in order to maintain their footing on the earth. 
* Finally, some idea may be gained of the relationships of 
plants to each other, or Systematic Botany. 
