PREFACE Vll 



The book accordinf,'l\' starts with the pines, — the lowest gvoup of 

 phxnts described, — and ends with the Composites, tlie most liighly 

 specialized family in the Vegetable Kingdom. This arrangement 

 is much more in harmony with evohitionary ideas than tliat usually 

 adopted. 



It is hoped that the book will be found up to date, and, though 

 its authors are conscious of its many short-comings, they trust 

 it will be of service to all who wish to learn sometliing of the 

 fascinating problems in the Plant World around them. 



E.M.L. 

 E.W.B. 



JNIarch 30th, 1906. 



