Chapter I: Preface

MY object in writing this book is primarily to call attention to some of the many questions which are raised by an enquiry into the relative antiquity of existing plants, and to illustrate the nature of the evidence afforded by the records of the rocks. One may agree with the dictum, 'There is but one art--to omit,' but to practise this art is often a difficult task. While fully conscious of the incompleteness of the treatment of the subjects dealt with in these pages, and of defects in the method of presentation, I hope that I may succeed in attracting some of my readers who are already interested in living plants to the study of plants of former ages.

I am greatly indebted to my colleague Dr C. E. Moss for reading the proofs and for many valuable suggestions. I wish to thank Mr and Mrs Clement Reid, Prof. MacDougal of the Arizona Desert Laboratory, Prof Campbell of Stanford University, Prof F. H. Knowlton of the United States National Museum, Washington, Mr A. G. Tansley, Prof Yapp, and Mr W. R. Welch for photographs which they have allowed me to reproduce. As on many previous occasions, I am indebted to my wife for contributing drawings.

A. C. SEWARD.

Botany School, Cambridge. _July 1911._

The numbers in brackets interspersed in the text refer to the Bibliography at the end of the volume.

CONTENTS

PAGE

Preface vii

CHAP.

I. Introductory: the Longevity of Trees, etc. 1

II. The Geographical Distribution of Plants 15

III. The Geological Record 39

IV. Preservation of Plants as Fossils 56

V. Ferns; their Distribution and Antiquity 71

VI. The Redwood and Mammoth Trees of California 95

VII. The Araucaria family 106

VIII. The Maiden Hair Tree 121

Bibliography 134

Index 139

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_Links with the Past_

ERRATUM

Page 78. Omit lines 5, 6, and 7, from "One" to "but" inclusive.

Transcriber Note: This correction has been applied. Here is the
original sentence:--

One filmy species of Todea is represented in the British flora
by _Todea radicans_ in the Killarney district of Ireland; but
the maximum development of the genus is in New Zealand.

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