iv PREFACE. 



only too prevalent idea that the chief aim of botany is the 

 ability to run down a plant by means of an " Analytical Key/ 7 

 the subject being exhausted as soon as the name of the plant 

 is discovered. A knowledge of the plant itself is far more 

 important than its name, however desirable it may be to know 

 the latter. 



In selecting the plants employed as examples of the differ- 

 ent groups, such were chosen, as far as possible, as are every- 

 where common. Of course this was not always possible, as 

 some important forms, e.g. the red and brown seaweeds, are 

 necessarily not always readily procurable by all students, but 

 it will be found that the great majority of the forms used, or 

 closely related ones, are within the reach of nearly all stu- 

 dents ; and such directions are given for collecting and pre- 

 serving them as will make it possible even for those in the 

 larger cities to supply themselves with the necessary mate- 

 rials. Such directions, too, for the manipulation and examina- 

 tion of specimens are given as will make the book, it is hoped, 

 a laboratory guide as well as a manual of classification. Indeed, 

 it is primarily intended that the book should so serve as a help 

 in the study of the actual specimens. 



Although much can be done in the study, even of the lowest 

 plants, without microscopic aid other than a hand lens, for a 

 thorough understanding of the structure of any plant a good 

 compound microscope is indispensable, and wherever it is pos- 

 sible the student should be provided with such an instrument, 

 to use this book to the best advantage. As, however, many 

 are not able to have the use of a microscope, the gross anatomy 

 of all the forms described has been carefully treated for the 

 especial benefit of such students. Such portions of the text, 

 as well as the general discussions, are printed in ordinary 

 type, while the minute anatomy, and all points requiring 

 microscopic aid, are discussed in separate paragraphs printed 

 in smaller type. 



The drawings, with very few exceptions, which are duly 



