A class book of botany.

Front matter

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Preface

THE present course of botany has been drawn up primarily for the use of students preparing for University Matriculation, School Certificate, Senior Local, and other examinations of similar standard. It is hoped, however, that it will also prove useful to members of field clubs and other amateurs interested in living plants and their doings. |

In accordance with modern views on the teaching of elementary botany, the book is concerned with the life-histories, activities and general behaviour of plants rather than with their structure ; in fact, details of structure are introduced only so far as they are necessary for the understanding of the vital processes considered. The earlier chapters deal with the conditions of healthy existence of individual plants of different “life forms.”’ They naturally lead to a description—fuller than is usual in books of this character—of the plant communities of meadows, ponds, hedges, woods, heaths and other easily accessible habitats. It is hoped that this account will form a guide to profitable field excursions and an introduction to a side of botany which, perhaps more than any other, gives comprehensive views of the subject. In the chapters on reproduction and classification, seventeen common families of flowering plants are studied with special attention to floral mechanism, and the opportunity is taken to explain the use of a Flora. Sections on British trees,

some common flowerless plants, and simple work with the . microscope have been included to meet special needs.

The method of presentation adopted is one which the author, V vi PREFACE in a long experience as teacher and examiner, has found specially helpful to students at this stage of their work. Throughout the course, description and discussion are kept in close association with observation and experiment. In arranging the scheme of practical work, care has been taken to include only exercises which are of real significance and can be carried out with simple apparatus ; and whenever possible, so to frame the instructions for their performance that the student is led to investigate some problem for himself. The training in scientific habits of thought, afforded by certain easy expertments in plant physiology and the interpretation of the results obtained, is of exceptionally high educational value.

Since students of botany, more than of other subjects, are dependent on the seasons for their material, it is not supposed that anyone will attempt to work through the book in the order of the chapters. The monthly calendar given at the end will serve as a reminder of some of the more obvious current events in the British plant world, and, with the schemes of study for the four seasons, will indicate what work can be usefully undertaken at the time. The numerous cross references, with the glossary and very full index, should make it easy for the student to seize opportunities as they arise.

The bearing of botany on practical agriculture and horticulture has been kept in mind constantly, and the plants recommended for study are all well known, and most are of economic importance as weeds, crops or timber. Alternative types are described in cases where any difficulty in obtaining specimens seems possible.

The illustrations—among them a large selection of photographs taken in the field—are unusually numerous and varied, and many have been prepared expressly for the book.

Some hundreds of recent examination questions are included, by special permission of the University of London, the Joint Matriculation Board of the Universities of Manchester, Liverpool,

PREFACE vu

Leeds, Sheffield and Birmingham, the Delegates to the Oxford University Local Examinations, the Syndicate of the Cambridge University Local Examinations, the Controller of H.M. Stationery Office, and other authorities. The questions are so classified as to form summaries, useful for revision, of the chapters to which they are appended. Their source is indicated by the following contractions: Cert., Teachers’ Certificate of the Board eter ducation . ©.H.L., Cambridge Higher Local; C.J., Cam- Dereenjunior. C.P., Cambridge Preliminary ;. C.5., Cambridge pemior; j.M.B:, Joimt Matriculation Board; L.M., London Matriculation; Prel. Cert., Preliminary Examination for’ the Teachers’ Certificate of the Board of Education; N.F.U., National Froebel Union; O.J., Oxford Junior; O.5., Oxford Senior.

The author is indebted to Sir Richard Gregory for much kindly help and valuable advice during the preparation of the book, and to Mr. A. J. V. Gale, M.A., for assistance in reading the proofs.

Bea LENHOUSE,

Boars HILt, OXFORD, May 10925.

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