FLORA OF THE MOUNTAIN. 251 



in the first stages of development of superior beings, and 

 permanently in those of inferior rank, the two elements are 

 equally l)alanced, and this is the case, in the author's opinion, 

 with the Diatome;^, which, on this account, cannot be ab- 

 solutely referred either to one series or the otlicr, but consti- 

 tute the ring or circle which unites together all organic 

 l)eings into one kingdom. Long controversies have sprung 

 up between the supporters and opponents of this doctrine, 

 who, to obtain victory, mutually accuse one another of logi- 

 cal errors, of sophisms, and of paradoxes."* 



With the exception of the tree Ferns, (Tropical,) whose 

 trunks sometimes attain to the height of forty feet, the cryp- 

 togamic plants are lowly structures, the feathers, hair, and 

 microscopic down of the skin of the world. 



This division of plants is constituted of three classes, viz. : 

 the AcROGENS, the Anophytes, and Thallophytes. The 

 first of these classes contains four orders, the Equisetacea?, 

 Filices, Lycopodiacea), and llydropterides. The second 

 two orders, the Musci and Hepaticae ; and the third four 

 orders, the Lichenes, Fungi, Characeoc, and Algie. 



ACPvOGENS. 



Of til is class the mountain has the following representa- 

 tives : — 



Order Equtsetace.^, (Horse-tail Family.) 



OKNERA. SPECIES. 



Equisetiim, (Horse-tail. Scouring Rush,) .... 2 



Order Filices, (Ferns.) 



Polypodiuin, (Polypody,) Tree Fern Family, ... 2 



Allosorus, (Rock Brake,) 1 



Pteris, (Brake. P.rackcn.) 1 



Adiantum, (Maiden Hair,) 1 



Cheilanthes, (Lip Fern.) 1 



* Mcncghiui, Botanical and Physiological Memoirs, Ray Society, 

 1858. 



