2 STRONG DRINK AND TOBACCO SMOKE. 



of tlie water-crowfoot, lying in graceful repose on its 

 outspread leaves, whilst its silken tresses sway gently 

 from side to side with the eddying current underneath ; 

 all these, as parts of animated Nature, fulfilling with 

 thorough steadfastness of purpose the conditions for 

 which they were called into being, a full and vigorous 

 life, and so contril)uting their share to the enjoyments 

 of man. Viewed thus, the most familiar objects of life 

 that surround us afford ample scope for the attain- 

 ment of real knowledge, exercise for thought, and an 

 inexhaustible field for inquiry and research. 



On the other side of that hedgerow lies a field of 

 growing barley, and two fields beyond it, the graceful 

 hop plants rear high in air their dazzling green festoons, 

 stretching from pole to pole. Perhaps no two plants, 

 since the world began, have had so great a moral 

 influence on the human race ; it may be that no other 

 two products of nature, varied and beautiful as these 

 are, ever so gladdened or made sad the hearts of men ; 

 for if to the fruit of these tv,^o plants we add another, 

 the humble yeast plant, all the ingredients are present 

 from which " strong drink," whisky, and beer, are 

 obtained. 



I purpose, therefore, to trace the life history of the 

 barley plant, from its earliest growth to maturity and 

 death, giving a description of the structure and minute 

 anatomy of the root, stem, leaves, and seed. I shall 

 show the careful provision which Nature has made for 

 the healthy life of tlie plant in every stage of its growth, 



