PREFACE . 



The living cycads are fernlike or palmlike plants and 

 are the surviving remnants of a line reaching back 

 through the Mesozoic into the Paleozoic. The title 

 The Living Cycads was chosen to contrast with The 

 Fossil Cycads, a work in two large volumes by Professor 

 G. R. Wieland, of Yale University, dealing with the 

 extinct cycads of the Mesozoic. 



A study extending over more than fifteen years has 

 necessitated trips to Mexico, Cuba, Australia, and Africa. 

 All the genera and many of the species have been studied 

 in the field, and material has been preserved for later 

 study in the laboratory. In addition to investigations 

 by the author, studies upon this material have been 

 published by Dr. R. Thiessen, Dr. Sister Helen Angela, 

 and Dr. F. Grace Smith, and studies by Mr. Ward L. 

 Miller and Miss LaDema Langdon are in progress. 



Part I is an account of the distribution, general 

 appearance, and field conditions of the cycads, together 

 with some of the experiences which come to one who 

 attempts an investigation involving so much travel in 

 distant and varied tropical countries. Technical terms 

 are avoided except in the names of plants. 



Part II presents the life-history of the group and is 

 based largely upon my own observations in the field and 

 in the laboratory. Wherever statements are made 

 which have not been confirmed by my own observation 

 the authority is quoted. Several technical terms are 



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