CHAPTER XXV 



1XTRODUCTIOX TO PLAXTS 



Importance of plants. So far we have confined our- 

 selves entirely to a consideration of the physical 

 sciences. In other words, we have studied the facts 

 and laws dealing with things which are not living, 

 inorganic matter. It is of equal interest and impor- 

 tance to know something about the living, organic 

 things, plants and animals, including ourselves. 



First, we shall study plants. To appreciate the im- 

 portance of plants to man, let us consider the uses we 

 make of them in our homes. Our houses are built, in 

 part at least, of wood; the furniture in them is largely 

 of wood : the fuel we burn, the food we eat, and much 

 of the clothing which we wear are derived from plants. 

 Thus we depend for shelter, warmth, clothing, and 

 even for food upon the many green plants growing 

 about us. 



Neither should we forget nor underrate how much 

 plants add to the enjoyment of life. Imagine for a 

 moment that there were no green grass, no trees, no 

 fruits and no flowers. "What a dreary, desolate place 

 the world would be ! 



A knowledge of the plant life about us is interesting 



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