CRYPTOGAMS 169 



(Fig. 345). Still less like Flowering Plants, but closely 

 allied to the Ferns, stand the Mosses and Liverworts 

 (Figs. 340, 334). In the groups named — found at Avhat 

 we speak of as the upper end of the cryptogamic series — 

 the stem-and-leaf type of structure prevails. In the lower 

 groups a contrast in this respect will be noted. 



406. Going below the Liverworts — i.e. away from the 

 Phanerogams — we come to the Algce (Seaweeds and the 

 like Figs. 291, 298), between which and the Liverworts 

 the similarity is not marked. The Algse include all green 

 (chlorophyllous) plants below the Liverworts, down to the 

 smallest and simplest (Fig. 282). Along with them, and 

 often resembling them in many respects, are the Fungi, of 

 which ordinary molds and toadstools are examples. Fungi 

 lack chlorophyll. 



407. In the Algte and Fungi the plant body is not 

 distinguished as in Flowering Plants and higher Crypto- 

 gams into axis or stem, and leaves. It is a simpler 

 structure, and is termed a thallus. In the simplest 

 Cryptogams the thallus is the single cell constituting 

 the individual ; in higher forms it becomes a filament, 

 membrane, or solid mass. Algie and Fungi together are 

 termed Thallophytes. 



408. The Algie fall into four grand divisions, conven- 

 iently distinguished in most cases by the color. In the 

 lowest group the green due to chlorophyll is more or less 

 modiiied by the presence of a blue pigment ; in the second 

 group the chlorophyll gives its true hue ; in the third, 

 green is masked by brown ; and in the fourth, a red pig- 

 ment is usually present to obscure the green more or less 

 effectually. The description of typical Cryptogams will 

 begin with the simplest Algee. 



Throughout the present chapter merely the structures 

 and processes most commonly found in the groups selected 

 will be described. Let it be understood that a full 

 account of even the few forms brought forward would 

 involve many qualifying additions to the general state- 

 ments now made. 



