PREFACE. 



The aim of the present book is to briefly indicate, in a 

 broad sense, the most pronounced features — ^structural and 

 physiological — that characterize plant life as manifested at 

 the present day, coupled with an attempt to trace the evolu- 

 tion of existing forma from primitive types, and to illustrate 

 the inter-dependence between plants, animals, and inorganic 

 nature. 



Grateful acknowledgments are offered to the authors of 



works that have been made use of in the preparation of this 



little book. 



GEORGE MASSEE. 



Kew, Surrey, 

 August, 1 89 1. 



