INTRODUCTION. 



Whatever can aid either teacher or pupil in the study of Botany is worthy of 

 attention. Especially is this true when the promised aid lies in the direction of making 

 simple a series of actual experiments and observations upon plants and vegetable 

 productions. There is very much to learn in the short time usually allotted to the study 

 of this science, — the structure and morphology of the different parts and organs of the 

 plant, the meaning of many new terras, the methods of analysis and classification, and 

 the main features of the chief botanical orders or families. Moreover, the study of books 

 and charts is not sufficient ; but the pupil should see and handle the objects of which 

 the lesson treats, and, if possible, should gather living specimens on the hills and in 

 the meadows. The characteristics of the plant having been studied, a specimen should 

 be carefully pressed, and at length should find a permanent resting place in that botanical 

 casket, the student's herbarium. All of this work takes time; hence the course should 

 be laid out orderly and with care. 



The following pages have been prepared with a view to attaining the most complete 

 results consistent with the amount of time which the student can ordinarily devote to 

 this study. If a record page is crowded with spaces requiring detailed entries, the pupil 

 is apt to be discouraged by the formidable task, and to slight or wholly omit certain 

 portions ; besides, the writing must be cramped on account of insufficient space. In the 

 following blanks enough space has been provided so that the penmanship may be clear; 

 and, while the essential features of description are retained, the list is not made so 

 exhaustive as to appear discouraging. 



It is believed by the author, after a considerable experience in teaching this science, 

 that for most of our pupils such a course is to be preferred to one which demands 

 numerous and obscure details. 



In the preparation of the topics and blanks for laboratory work, the same rule has 

 been kept in mind ; the attention has been directed to the most important features, and 

 convenient spaces have been prepared for the records. 



Suggestions Concerning Laboratory Work. 



The work indicated on the following pages is of great value in the study of Botany, 

 and none of the ten subjects should be omitted. If the available time is too limited for 

 them all, a less number of specimens than is recommended for each subject may be 

 examined ; on the other hand, additional work can be devised by the teacher who has 

 an abundance of time at his command. 



The various subjects should be taken up soon after they have been studied in the 

 text-book, while the interest of the pupil is keen. The collection of flowers for the 



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