Embryogenesis in Plants

Contemporary botanical science is characterized by great activity along many different lines. From time to time, therefore, it becomes necessary, certainly desirable, to bring together the observations and conclusions relating to major topics. Embryogenesis in Plants is such a theme. The embryology of species from different taxonomic groups has long provided subjects for research by the traditional methods of the anatomist and histologist, the results in the main being regarded as a contribution to comparative morphology. There is till scope for further work along these lines. During recent years, however, new ideas and experimental techniques have been applied to the investigation of embryos, and new evidence, some of it of a fascinating interest, and suggestive of great possibilities for further work, is beginning to accrue. This statement applies not only to the seed plants but to other groups also. In the present Comprehensive survey-the first of its kinds-the Author has described, illustrated, and discussed the embryological development in all classes of plant, from Algae to Angiospermae, references to the dynamic aspect and to experimental work being incorporated wherever possible. An attempt has been made to offer some explanation of the visible embryological development sinterms of the genetical, physical, and other factors and relationships which may be involved, and to show how such an approach promotes an understanding of the parallelisms of development, or homologies of organization, found in all the major taxonomic groups. The traditional theme of the bearing of the evidence from embryology on evolutionary and phylectic theory is also fully considered. It is hoped that the book thus contains matter of interest to all botanists, teachers and research workers alike.