PREFACE vii 



arranging the order of study. The seed is taken up first, 

 because it is not only readily obtained, readily studied, 

 and its meaning clear, but it is also one of the most con- 

 venient starting-points for a study of the life-history. After 

 a few studies to show how the plants start upon an indepen- 

 dent existence, typical stems, roots, and leaves are consid- 

 ered, both as to their structure and as to their usefulness to 

 the plant. Then follows the study of the modification of 

 these organs, especially in plants which store away nourish- 

 ment, which protect themselves from grazing animals, which 

 climb up above their neighbors for light and air ; of plants 

 which are robbers or huntsmen, taking their food from other 

 plants or by capturing animals ; and finally, a glance at the 

 different ways in which plants propagate their kind. 



If both teacher and student can conceive of the plant in 

 this way, an abundant harvest of interesting and instructive 

 phenomena will be presented to view, and both will have 

 come into far closer communion with nature than is possible 

 in any other way. 



In conclusion, the writer wishes to say that this sketch is 

 intended for beginners, either in the higher grades of the 

 primary schools, or in the secondary schools. It is not 

 intended to hamper the teacher with too explicit directions, 

 but to assist in directing attention to certain details and 

 leave the teacher free to suggest farther work and thought 

 upon each subject. In the second appendix, especial 

 hints and suggestions are given to teachers, and references 

 through which the writer hopes to convey to the teacher 



