CLASSIFICATION OF PLANTS 233 



Spermaphyta 



Gymnosperms Angiosperms 



Dicotyledons Monocotyledons 



1 i 



Archichlamydeae Sympetalae 



I I 



apocarpous superior superior 



I I I 

 Pine Buttercup Primrose Bluebell 



Larch | 



syncarpous inferior inferior 



I I I 



Stock Daisy Crocus 



The Study of a local flora. A book dealing with the plants 

 of a country or a district, in which the species are arranged 

 and classified in the manner indicated, is called a Flora. 

 In the study of the vegetation of your district you will find 

 it more interesting and profitable to devote your attention 

 to the plants of one habitat at a time, than to collect plants 

 indiscriminately. Always have an object in view and follow 

 it with care and intelligence. In each habitat probably one 

 or only a few species, which are best adapted to it, will 

 predominate. These are the plants you should study first 

 and most carefully, neglecting for the time being the rarer 

 ones. Distinguish between social species, i. e. plants of 

 the same kind growing together in large numbers ; and 

 those which occur sparingly ; also between the large sturdy 

 trees and shrubs and the plants growing under their shade 

 and protection. 



Note in detail the form, mode of growth, and the struc- 

 ture of the leaf, and see whether these bear any relation 

 to the plants' environment, such as soil, water-supply, 

 humidity, altitude, and exposure to sun and wind. You 

 will find that, in nature, plants group themselves into plant- 

 societies and associations according to the conditions 

 of the habitat (Fig. 163). 



