P BE FACE". 



WHEN, some few years ago, it became necessary to revise 

 the English Edition of the late Prof. Prantl's Lehrbtich der 

 Botanik, it appeared to me that the requirements of English 

 students would be more satisfactorily met if the scope of the 

 work were so extended that, whilst retaining all that has 

 made it of value to beginners, it might be more useful to 

 those engaged in the advanced study of the science. With 

 this object in view, the number of pages has been doubled 

 by additions to all four parts of the book, but more especially 

 to Part III. dealing with the Classification of Plants. 



Though the form of Prof. Prantl's book is still retained, 

 and here and there paragraphs from the English edition 

 have been inserted, the present is essentially a new and 

 distinct work for which I alone am responsible, and, con- 

 sequently, on the title-page of which my name alone 

 appears. 



I would most gratefully acknowledge the assistance 

 which I have received from my friend Dr. D. H. Scott, 

 Honorary Superintendent of the Jodrell Laboratory, Royal 

 Gardens, Kew, who has kindly read the proofs, and has 

 furnished me with many valuable suggestions and criti- 

 cisms. The usefulness of the book is enhanced by the 

 incorporation of a number of additional illustrations : most 

 of these are placed at my disposal by- the publishers, from 

 their English edition of Prof. Strasburger's Practical Botany, 

 a few are taken from various other sources which are duly 

 acknowledged. 



S. H. V. 

 January, 1894. 



