PREFACE 



This additional volume to the young naturalist's ' Outdoor 

 World Series ' is an attempt to provide a guide to the study of 

 our wild plants, shrubs and trees — a guide which, though com- 

 paratively free from technical terms and expressions, shall yet be 

 strictly correct and scientific. 



The leading feature of the book is the arrangement of the 

 plants and trees according to their seasons, habitats and habits ; 

 an arrangement wliich will undoubtedly be of the greatest assist- 

 ance to the lover of wild flowers during his work in the field, and 

 also while examining and identifjing his gathered specimens at 

 home. 



A large portion of the space has necessarily been allotted to the 

 descrijitions of plants, several hundreds of which have been included, 

 and a large proportion of these illustrated ; but not a little has 

 been devoted to an attempt to create an interest in some of those 

 wonderful habits wliich lead us to look upon plants as living beings 

 with attractions even more engrossing than their beautiful forms 

 and colom's. 



It has been thought advisable to give but little attention to 

 aquatic plants and to the flowers which are to be found only 

 on the coast, these having been previously included in former 

 volumes of this series dealing, respectively, with pond life and the 

 sea shore. 



The thanks of the author are due to his friend, G. Du 

 Heaume, Esq., for his valuable assistance in collecting many of 

 the flowers requked for description and illustration. 



W. S. F. 



