PREFACE 



In writing the present volume, I have endeavoured to place 

 the subject before elementary students in such a way as to 

 exercise to the full their powers of observation, and to enable 

 them to make accurate deductions for themselves from the 

 facts which they observe. To attempt the study of Botany 

 without the practical examination of plants is futile. Students 

 of plant-life must look at plants, and this book is specially 

 designed for use during the process. Considerable experience 

 as examiner in Botany as taught in schools has convinced me 

 that comparatively few learners have the advantage of seeing 

 specimens with the aid of a compound microscope, although 

 the treatises usually employed should involve the frequent use 

 of such an instrument. Under these circumstances, I have in 

 the following pages assumed that a compound microscope is 

 not employed, and for their proper understanding such an 

 instrument is quite unnecessary. An ordinary inexpensive 

 lens should be used to aid the naked eye ; but, on the other 

 hand, in commencing the study of Botany a compound 

 microscope is absolutely needless, and, in the case of young 

 beginners, does more harm than good. The section on 

 Physiology has been so written that no knowledge of the 

 histology of plants is assumed — a feature which is, I believe, 

 here introduced for the first time. Though by no means a 

 "cram-book" for elementary examinations, a thorough know- 

 ledge of the contents of this book will enable a candidate to 

 pass with distinction. 



In order to lay more emphasis on the observation of facts, 

 and with a view to simplify the >yhole matter, I have inserted 

 no unnecessary technical terms, but, for the convenience 

 of students who afterward use "Floras," I have added an 

 appendix for use as a dictionary, but not for the purpose of 

 elementary study. 



