INTRODUCTORY. 3 



then sprout them and -watch the growth of the seedlings 

 which spring from them. Afterwards he may study in a few 

 typical examples the organs, structure, and functions of 

 flowering plants, trace their life-history, and so, step by step, 

 follow the process by which a new crop of seeds at last 

 results from the growth and development of such a seed as 

 that with which he began. 



Meantime it will throw light on the mode of growth of 

 flowering plants to compare them with a few very simple 

 flowerless plants. 



After the whole round of vegetable life has been outlined 

 from seed to seed, the student may learn a little about the 

 never-ceasing struggle against unfavorable climates, poor soils, 

 and the direct attacks of living enemies, — in short, the many 

 kinds of adverse influences, such as all plants must meet and 

 overcome in order to maintain their footing on the earth. 



Finally, some idea may be gained of the relationships of 

 plants to each other, or Systematic Botany. 



