vi PREFACE. 



cell-contents, forms of cells, and the outer and inner morphology' of higher 

 plants. The facts and illustrations here presented cover not only the latest 

 researches on their morphology, origin, and distribution, but also the 

 most recent advances in regard to their chemical nature. A fair amount 

 of this work is original, and the presentation in one volume, it is hoped, 

 will be appreciated in addition also by students of the plant cell as well 

 as the phyto-chemist. 



In the practical examination of the crude materials of the market we 

 find more or less contamination with fungi, lichens, and other lower plants, 

 and for this reason, as well as for the understanding of the morphology of 

 the higher plants, a more or less succinct treatment of the Principal Groups 

 of Plants is given in Qiapter I. Another reason which has prompted the 

 author to lay considerable stress on the knowledge contained in this chap- 

 ter is that if the student will master the technique and will apply himself 

 to this part of the work, he will be better prepared to take up the study 

 of the structures of higher plants. 



The chapter on Classification of Higher Plants is quite extended and 

 illustrated with a large number of photographs, showing not only many 

 of our interesting wild plants but the principal economic plants that are 

 used as foods, drugs, and for other economic purposes, with considerable 

 valuable technical information concerning them. The chapter on Nomen 

 clature has been included in order that the derivations of botanical names 

 might be better understood and their correct spelling facilitated. The 

 chapter on Cultivation of jMedicinal Plants, while especially prepared for 

 those interested in the subject, will be found useful to those interested in 

 other industries where the extermination of native plants is calling attention 

 to practical means for their replenishment. The chapter on Microscopic 

 Technique contains methods for the preparation of commercial materials 

 and much information that doubtless will facilitate practical work. The 

 index contains some 6,000 titles, making the information contained in this 

 volume readily accessible. 



The work is illustrated throughout, and the legends accompanying the 

 illustrations will be found interesting and instructive and in most instances 

 supplement the information given in the text. All of the illustrations which 

 are not reproductions of photographs and drawings made by the author 

 are duly credited. The author acknowledges the valuable services rendered 

 by his associates in the preparation of the text, reading of proof, and prep- 

 aration of the index; to Professor Wallace Truesdell for assistance in 

 the chapter on Botanical Nomenclature and to Mr. Stewardson Brown for 

 the use of a number of photographs. When larger monographs and 

 authoritative works have been consulted, due credit has been given in the 

 text, so that the present work is a foundation not only of a text-book for 

 students of applied and economic botany but as a reference book for manu- 

 facturers and analysts. 



November, 1914. H. K. 



