•vnil AUTHORS PREFACE. 



and laborious investigations and the theories based upon them, if they 

 are produced in a popuLar manner rather than in the conventional 

 language of science. 



With the English, however, it is otherwise. I have long regarded 

 with admiration the men of science whom you number amongst your 

 countrymen, who present the results of their studies in words intelligible 

 to all who seriously desire knowledge. 



To follow in the path of such men has always been my aim in my 

 work and in my writings; and this was particularly before me in the 

 production of The Natural History of Plants. 



A. KERNER VON MARILAUN. 



SOME OPINIONS 



CONCERNING KERNER'S NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS 



LORD AVEBURY (Sir John Lubbock) has said, regarding Kerner's Natural History of Plants : 



" A man must be dull indeed who can read such a work as Prof. Kerner's Natural ffistor// 



of Plants without deep interest. The adaptation of plants to their circumstances and conditions 



of life are admirably described, and are, moreover, brought out the more clearly by a great 



number of instructive, and in some cases beautiful, illustrations. 



"It will certainly seem, to anyone who has followed the course of botanical research during 

 recent years, not only a work of supererogation, but I might almost say of impertinence, for me 

 to recommend any work written by Prof. Kerner, and which Prof. Oliver has thought worthj' 

 of ti-anslation. With regard to the general reader, however, it may not be out of place to assure 

 him that Botany, as revealed in these pages, is a subject of intense interest, which will furnish 

 him with pleasant and stimulating occupation for his leisure moments, and on this ground alone, 

 if there were no other, I welcome with pleasure this edition of Prof. Kerner's Natural Historf/ 

 of Plants." 



Professor F. O. BOWER, M. A., D.Sc, F.R.S., Professor of Botany, Glasgow University, says : 

 " Kerner's Natural History of Plants may go far to revolutionize the teaching of Botany in 

 the schools, introducing into it more of biological interest. It is a book to be recommended for 

 the reading of schoolmastei's themselves." 



F. W. BURBIDGE, M.A., F.L.S., F.R.H.S. (London), Trinity College Botanical Gardens, Dublin, 

 says : 



"The Natural History of Plants is a work that should be utilized by all teachers and 

 lecturers of the various County Councils, and should also be in the hands of all intelligent cul- 

 tivators of the soil. I could not possibly say too much in praise of such a remarkable work." 



WILLIAM CARRUTHERS, F.R.S., F.L.S., British Museum (Natural History), London, says: 



" It is certainly a singularly attractive volume for the general readei', and a useful text-book 

 for the student. It deals with recent investigations in a way that one does not meet with in 

 any other popular book." 



