PREFACE. X 



given ; these are to be got by direct inspection of the 

 objects. Some simple experiments for the children 

 to make are introduced, and they will now be more 

 occupied in watching the changes which take place 

 in the different parts of plants. 



In arranging a course of observations for begin- 

 ners in Botany, only those have been selected which 

 may be made with the naked eye. In another book 

 now in preparation the same plan of schedule study 

 will be carried out, and provision made for more 

 close and extended observations, requiring the help 

 of magnifying-glasses. 



There have been attempts to teach classes by the 

 schedule method of this work by means of the black- 

 board, and without the book, but all such attempts 

 are violations of the method. Botany cannot be 

 " taught " by this system, for the very essence and 

 soul of it is that the pupil is himself to find out what 

 he wants to know. For repetition, comparison, and 

 verification, constant reference to past exercises is 

 required, which makes it indispensable that plant 

 and book should go together. Only as a manual of 

 practice, in individual observation, can the present 

 work subserve the purpose for which it was pre- 

 pared. 



