x THE LIFE OF THE PLANT 



The position of an author of a popular book differs 

 also from that of an author of a special treatise, in that 

 he is deprived of any opportunity for self-justification or 

 defence. He surrenders himself defenceless into the 

 hands of his judges. The reader appears as his first 

 and last court of appeal. A specialist may consider 

 his exposition to be conscientious, to have overcome 

 considerable difficulties ; but if his work so much as 

 displeases the reader, it will fail of its aim and be 

 therefore doomed. 



I hope that I may find as kindly critics among my 

 readers as I had the privilege of finding in my audiences. 

 They have appreciated the difficulty of my task, and have 

 indulgently criticised its fulfilment. 1 



Moscow, 3o//j March 1878. 



1 These lectures were delivered during the winter of 1876 in Moscow. 

 ' The Plant as a Source of Energy,' placed in the appendix, was 

 delivered at St. Petersburg in the spring of 1875. 



