Elements of Structural and Systematic Botany

enty are at present known), which, so far as the chemist

ic matter, to give an absolute definition, we at once recognize the peculiarities of organic or living bodies as distinguished from inorganic or non-living ones. All living bodies feed, grow, and reproduc

s from the earth and air certain inorganic compounds which are converted by the activity of the plant into a part of its own substance, becoming thus incorporated into

lowing elements appear to be essential to all living bodies: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, potassium. Besides these there are several

pparent in all of them. This is disguised in the more specialized forms, but in the simpler ones is very a

gy," but for many purposes it is desirable to recognize the distinctions, making two departments of Biology,-Botany,

tructureless green scum that floats on a stagnant pond. In any case the impulse is to investigate the form and structure as far as the means at one's disposal will permit. Such a study of structure constitutes "Morphology," which includes two departments,-gross anatomy, or a general study of the parts; and minute

elationships are enabled to classify them or unite them into groups so as to indicate the degree to which the

feeds, breathes, moves, reproduces. This is "Physiology," and like clas

ore delicate tissues, a razor; 2. a pair of small, fine-pointed scissors; 3. a pair of mounted needles (these can be made by forci

scope is indispensable. Instruments with lenses magnifying from about 20 to 500 diameters can be

s slips (slides), manufactured for the purpose, and covered with extremely thin plates of glass, also specially made. If the body to be examined is a large one, thin slices or sections must be made.

for picking up small sections and putting water in the slides; 2. small forceps for handling delicate objects; 3. blotting paper for removing superfluo

tash (a strong solution of potassium hydrate in water), iodine (either a little of the commercial tincture of iodine in water, or, better, a solution of iod

, and these should be made with a moderately soft pencil on unruled paper. If it is desired to make the drawings with ink, a careful outline should first be made w

red specimens; but as these are not always to be had when wanted, a

is taken to remove all dead specimens at first and to renew the water from time to time. They usually thrive b

ances that are kept warm and moist. Fresh bread kept moist and covered with a glass will in a short time produce a v

a little care, and of course very many f

or any length of time, and on moistening with a weak solution of caustic pot

ructures for future study, strong alcohol is the best and most convenient preservi