Pre-Quaternary palynology is taken in its broadest sense to cover the study of all acid-insoluble plant microfossils. The term may be extended to include all acid-insoluble microfossils regardless of whether they are known to be plants or otherwise (e.g., chitinozoans); in its widest possible sense it may be taken to include all fossil phytoplankton (and hence including coccoliths). The history of British work in this broad field is briefly dealt with, from the pioneers of the first half of the last century, to the rise of modern palynology in coal studies pioneered by A. Raistrick and others. Contemporary British work on land plant spores from Pre-Quaternary rocks of various ages, and on acritarchs, dinoflagellates and coccoliths is reviewed. Developments in extraction technique and in methods of observation and illustration of palynological objects are considered. Two plates illustrate the application of electron microscopy in the study of palynological objects, both by transmitted beam applied directly to the fossil and to thin sections, and by the use of electron scan microscopy.