ELEMENTS OF STRUCTURAL BOTANY. 



It is desirable that the beginner should provide him- 

 self with a magnifying glass of moderate power for 

 examining the more minute parts of specimens ; a sharp 

 penknife for dissecting ; and a couple of fine needles, 

 which he can himself insert in convenient handles, and 

 which will Le found of great service in separating delicate 

 parts, and in impaling fine portions for examination 

 with the aid of the lens. 



CHAPTER I. 



EXAMINATION OF A BUTTERCUP. 



2. To begin with, there is no plant quite so suitable 

 as our common Buttercup. This plant, which has con- 

 spicuous yellow flowers, may be found growing in almost 

 every moist meadow. Having found one, take up the 

 whole plant, loosening the soil a little, so as to obtain as 

 much of the Root as possible. Wash away the earth 



adhering to the 

 latter part, and 

 then proceed to 

 examine your 

 specimen. Begin- 

 ning with the 



ROOt(Fig.l),thr 



first noticeable 

 Fig. 1 thing is that it is 



not of the same colour as the rest of the plant. It is 



Fif. 1. Fibrous Boot of Buttercup, 



