PREFACE TO THE REVISED EDITION 



kind reception accorded to the first edition 

 of this work has emboldened me to under- 

 take its revision, with a view to availing myself 

 of some of the criticisms that it has called forth. 

 The only one of these to which I need specially 

 refer is that which was directed to my special 

 use of the word " flowers" as applied to the 

 reproductive organs. One so commonly uses the 

 word in that sense doubtless somewhat loosely 

 that my adoption of it was, perhaps, not altogether 

 unwarranted, especially as I am not alone in 

 having done so. But, after what has been said, 

 I bow to the adverse opinion that has been ex- 

 pressed, and in the present edition have, some- 

 what reluctantly, substituted the less euphonious 

 expression "reproductive organs." 



Other shortcomings I have also endeavoured 

 to remove, but some of the suggestions that have 

 been thrown out could not possibly have been 

 adopted without sacrificing my prime object in 

 writing the book, as expressed in the Introductory 

 Chapter. 



Four entirely new plates have been added, 

 while the original Plate I. has been omitted. 



vii 



