184 PHENOGAMS AND CRYPTOGAMS 



the generations are omitted from this book, because they are subjects 

 for specialists and demand more training in research methods than 

 the high-school pupil can properly give to plant-study. Cryptogams 

 are as widespread as phenogams, and for this reason it has been 

 urged that they are most proper subjects for study in the school. This 

 position is untenable, however, for the best plant subjects for youth 

 are those which mean most to his life. It is said, also, that cryptogams 

 are best for the beginner because their life-processes are relatively 

 simple in many cases; but the initial study of plants should be under- 

 taken for the purpose of quickening the pupil's perception of common 

 and familiar forms and problems, rather than for the purpose of de- 

 veloping a technical knowledge of a given science. 



