CHAPTER V 

 INHERITANCE IN THE HIGHER PLANTS 



The general acceptance of the theory of organic evolu- 

 tion made necessary a new botany as well as a new zoology. 

 The artificial classification of plants in general use a half- 

 century ago has been replaced by one based upon the natural 

 relationships that have linked together plant groups during 

 their progressive changes. The need of new facts in the 

 prosecution of this great work has played no small part in 

 the rise of plant morphology, histology, physiolog}', and 

 ecology to well-deserved places of eminence in science. 

 But in so far as the valuable subject-matter of these botani- 

 cal sciences have touched or been touched by conceptions 

 of evolution, they have, in general, simply contributed 

 additional facts which have harmonzied with and supported 

 that great truth already so well established by Darwin. 



Such a historical point of view did not fully satisf}' the 

 seeker after knowledge. He wished to know why and how 

 these things came about. In the gratification of this 

 curiosity as to the mechanism of heredity, of evolution, and 

 of the changes that occur under domestication, rapid prog- 

 ress has recently been made. The botanist has joined hands 

 with the zoologist and a new subdivision of the biological 

 sciences — Genetics — has arisen. 



As subject-material for use in attacking genetic problems, 

 plants and animals each have advantages and disadvan- 

 tages; but the results of the botanist and of the zoologist 

 have been wonderfullv harmonious. The same methods are 

 used by both, and the work of the pedigree culturist, the 



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