402 
Allgemeines. 
botanical phraseology employed being reduced to the simplest com- 
patible with the precision required by new and complex phenomena. 
The general idea has been the Provision of a methodical framework 
for the inclusion of all facts of Observation and experiment, which 
may serve as an introductory scheme admitting of elaboration and 
perfection. The First Part of the work is limited to the account of 
Twelve Types of Common Spring Flowers, all of which are readily 
cultivated, and may be kept under continual Observation. 
After a brief Introductory Notice the flower is taken as an object 
to be scientifically described. It is analysed into its component parts, 
and these are measured and distinguished by name, the use of 
technical terms being reduced to a minimum. The Organization is 
then considered in ground-plan (Floral Diagram;, and in Sectional 
Elevation; the latter necessitates accurate plotting to scale along a 
plane strictly referable to the orientated plan. When a clear idea of 
the floral structures as they are found in the adult condition has 
been attained, it becomes necessary to trace its development from 
a mere collection of primordia arranged in a more or less definite 
System at the apex of the young shoot, to deduce and classify the 
component factors which unite in the elaboration of the complex 
Mechanism, and to consider the order of their progressive differen- 
tiation. It becomes possible then to study r the working of the mecha¬ 
nism from the standpoint of Pollination, and to trace the special 
adaptations and correlations of the growth-factors for this purpose. 
In this connexion, Observation of insect-visits, experiments on diffe¬ 
rent methods of pollination, and record for times and dates of flo- 
wering require to be carefully investigated. The study of the flower 
also includes consideration of the Range of Variations of the type, 
which, for example, may be found in the case of cultivated forms, 
as also all cases of irregularity (Monstrosities), which may indicate 
faults in the correlation of the developmental processes. As the 
biology and fate of the flower is so intimately associated with the 
production of Fruit, and the distribution of Seed, sections are in- 
cluded which present the essential facts of observations on these 
subjects. 
But even a complete account of a single flower is of little use 
unless it can be considered in relation to its nearest allies, and the 
subject thus extends to a brief survey of Closely Allied Types, in 
order that the position of the plant in the general scheme may be 
more clearly defined. Where possible, special importance is given 
to two such allied forms, one a simple, and the other a more spe- 
cialized edition of the same general plan of structure and mechanism. 
Under the title Theoretical Considerations, the various features of 
interest are combined, as far as possible, in a discussion of what 
may represent the possible Phylogeny of the type, and finally 
recorded in its Classification and systematic position. Series of 
measurements, numerical relations, time-factors, and dates for flo- 
wering and fruiting periods, as also of developmental stages, have 
been Incorporated with the text. Unless specially mentioned, all 
data are recorded for plants grown at Oxford, and these may be 
used as a Standard of comparison for specimens cultivated in other 
parts of the country. The book is intended more especially for those 
who will grow the flowers themselves and check the observations, 
the plants selected as types being pre-eminently suitable for culti- 
vation in School Gardens. 
All illustrations are entirely new and include: 
