INTRODUCTION. 



1. It has been deemed imperative by way of introduction to the study 

 of the trees included in this series, to give something of an account of 

 the technical terms used in descriptive botany. They are words of pecu- 

 liar and very exact signification, and in this, as in other branches of 

 science, their use is of necessity, if we would describe an object, as a plant 

 for instance, with such accuracy as to enable one to recognize it from our 

 description. 



2. A clear understanding, therefore, of the technical terms so far as 

 used in this work must be had at the outset. But great technicality 

 we have endeavored to avoid, from the fact that those already 

 familiar with the species represented will not need the descriptions, and 

 for those who are not, and for whom they are introduced, they must be 

 made as simple as possible. 



3. While this preparatory part then is necessary, we shall endeavor to 

 keep it within as strict limits as the object in han t d will permit. Much 

 that should be included, were we to study all plants, herbaceous as well 

 as woody, will not here be needed and consequently will not be touched 

 upon. 



4. A plant of which of course a tree is only a large example con- 

 sists primarily of three organs, the root, the stem and the leaf. These 

 are all that are necessary, so far as the plant itself is concerned, for the 

 performance of the one great purpose of the vegetable kingdom the 

 conversion of inorganic into organic matter. 



5. When special functions are to be performed, such as the repro- 

 duction of the species, protection to the plant or storage of food for its 

 future use, etc., no new organs are created. Those already existing are 

 simply altered in their functions and so specialized as to meet the 

 desired end. 



6. The Root we will not stop to consider, as it is unimportant to our 

 present purpose. The stem will need but little space. The leaf and its 

 morphology, to a certain extent, will require considerable. 



THE STEM. 



7. This in trees is spoken of as the trunk, and it needs our considera- 

 tion here only so much as to look a little into its structure and determine 

 its method of growth, for by this we may know in which of the two 

 great classes of Flowering Plants it belongs. But before defining these 

 classes we will have to understand something of the 



8. Structure of Wood. The elements which make up the substance 

 of wood, or the parts of which it is ultimately composed, are cells, 

 minute closed cavities, elongated in the direction of the grain, with 



