PREFACE. 



THE idea of this little book is to furnish an intro- 

 duction to the study of Botany from the standpoint 

 of considering plants as living organisms, subject to all 

 the varied vicissitudes that are more generally recognized 

 as influencing animal life. From this point of view, 

 the changes in structure and function that plants have 

 undergone from time to time become intelligible, a 

 point of primary importance, as a preliminary to a clear 

 comprehension of the meaning of relationship amongst 

 the members constituting the Vegetable Kingdom. 



GEORGE MASSEE. 



KEW, 1891. 



M358403 



