i 



D PREFACE. 



ledge of the subject. My treatment is, therefore, 

 to some extent diagrammatic, especially in the 

 earlier chapters ; but I endeavour as I proceed 

 to correct the generalisations and fill in the 

 gaps of the first crude statement. I trust that 

 advanced students who may glance at this little 

 book will forgive me for such concessions to the 

 weaker brethren, especially when they see that 

 at the same time I have ventured to lay before 

 untechnical readers all the latest results of the 

 most advanced botanical research, as far as 

 could be done in so small a compass. I have 

 even made bold to speak at times of "carbonic 

 acid," where I ought strictly to have said 

 "Carbon dioxide." and to glide gently over the 

 distinction between hydro-carbons and carbo- 

 hydrates, which could interest none but chemical 

 students. I have been well content to make 

 these trivial sacrifices of formal accuracy in 

 order to find room for fuller exposition of the 

 delightful relations between flowers and insects, 

 birds and fruits, soil and pla*it, climate and 

 foliage. In one word, I have dwelt more on 

 the functions and habits of plants than on their 

 structure and classification. At the same time 

 I have tried to lead on my reader by gradual 

 stages to the further study of plants in the 

 concrete ; and I shall be disappointed if my 

 little book does not induce a considerable pro- 

 portion of those into whose hands it may fall 

 to pursue the subject further in our fields and 

 woods by the aid of a Flora. 



G. A. 



THE CROFT, HINDHEAD. 

 April, 1895. 



