INTRODUCTION 



one object in life, that is, to reproduce its kind. All the parts 

 of the plant are designed with this object in view ; the shape, 

 colour, and perfume of the flowers, and all the various contriv- 



FIG. i. Illustration of the difference in the external forms of the mineral, 

 vegetable, and animal kingdoms. 



ances with which plants are endowed, are to be regarded as 

 means towards accomplishing this reproduction. 



Scope of Our Lessons. We shall have to consider the 

 plant from the following points of view : (i) Morphology, or the 

 science of form and structure ; (ii) Physiology, or the science of 

 function j (iii) Classification, or the science of relationship. 



B 2 



