PKEFACE 



In the preface to Plant Relations the author gave his 

 reasons for suggesting that the ecological standpoint is best 

 adapted for the first contact with plants. It may be, how- 

 ever, that many teachers will prefer to begin with the mor- 

 phological standpoint, as given in the present book. Rec- 

 ognizing this fact, Plant Structures has been made an 

 independent volume that may precede or follow the other, 

 or may provide a brief course of botanical study in itself. 



Although in the present volume Morphology is the domi- 

 nant subject, it seems wise to give a somewhat general view 

 of plants, and therefore Physiology, Ecology, and Taxonomy 

 are included in a general way. For fear that Physiology 

 and Ecology may be lost sight of as distinct subjects, and 

 to introduce important topics not included in the body of 

 the work, short chapters are devoted to them, which seek 

 to bring together the main facts, and to call attention to 

 the larger fields. 



This book is not a laboratory guide, but is for reading 

 and study in connection with laboratory work. An accom- 

 panying pamphlet for teachers gives helpful suggestions 

 to those who are not already familiar with its scope and 

 purpose. It is not expected that all the forms and sub- 

 jects presented in the text can be included in the labora- 

 tory exercises, but it is believed that the book will prove a 

 useful companion in connection with such exercises. It 

 is very necessary to co-ordinate the results of laboratory 

 work, to refer to a larger range of material than can be 

 handled, and to develop some philosophical conception of 



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