PREFACE 



IN the preparation of the present volume an attempt has been 

 made to present in as compact a form as possible an outline of the 

 essentials of modern botany. 



The book is not intended as a laboratory manual, but is designed 

 primarily as a work of reference, and for this reason no attempt has 

 been made to introduce laboratory exercises. Being prepared for 

 the use of students in American colleges and universities, it has 

 seemed proper to use largely as illustrative material plants drawn 

 from the native flora, and it is hoped that this will add to the value 

 of the book to American students. 



In the taxonomic portion, a somewhat conservative attitude has 

 been taken, in view of the very unsettled condition of nomenclature 

 at the present time. The classification is largely based upon 

 that of the standard work of Engler and Prantl, "Die natilrlichen 

 Pflanzenfamilien." 



A short bibliography, comprising the more useful works on the 

 various topics, has been appended to each section of the book. By 

 consulting the works thus indicated, it is believed that the student 

 can acquaint himself with the literature bearing on the subject. 



In Chapter XIII the materials are drawn largely from the work 

 of Sachs and Pfetfer, the recent physiological text-book of Professor 

 Pfeffer being used as a basis. The work of other physiologists has 

 also been freely used. 



Most of the illustrations have been made by the author, many of 

 them expressly for this work. Where figures have been borrowed, 

 due acknowledgment is made. Of these, a considerable number 

 have been taken from the "Cyclopedia of Horticulture," edited 

 by Professor L. H. Bailey. 



