PREFACE 



THIS volume has been prepared in response to the demand for a 

 sequel to our Introduction to the Study of Plants, from which 

 the minute structure and details of life-history, that require the 

 use of a microscope for their proper comprehension, were 

 purposely omitted. 



Whilst the present volume is complete in itself, frequent 

 references to the earlier book are included, and the two together 

 form a comprehensive introduction to the science of Botany. 

 Not only is the syllabus for all Higher School Examinations 

 amply covered, but the two volumes will also be found to meet 

 the needs of the first-year student at the Universities. Like its 

 predecessor, however, the present work was compiled for those 

 who really desire to learn something of the role of plants in nature, 

 of their structure and of their mode of life, rather than merely to 

 furnish another examination textbook. 



With the aim of giving a better survey of the Vegetable Kingdom 

 and presenting a more balanced concept, we have abandoned the 

 study of isolated types in favour of a more general account, 

 indicating the range of form and reproductive methods within 

 each group. This has not resulted in an undue increase in the 

 subject-matter, since we have omitted much developmental detail 

 which has little educational value or significance, except for the 

 specialist. With the obj ect of widening the outlook of the student 

 on the two aspects of botanical science treated in this volume, 

 special chapters have been included dealing with ecological 

 anatomy, and variation and heredity. Moreover, we have intro- 

 duced such physiology as is more appropriately considered in 

 relation to microscopic structure. 



Features, whether of plant-anatomy or plant-chemistry, which 

 are of commercial importance are emphasised throughout, and 

 it is hoped that this may serve to combat the frequent ignorance 



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