344 CRYPTOGAMS. [chap 



free cells, either with or without a cellulose coat. The 

 prevalence of this asexual multiplication by free cells is a 

 frirther characteristic of many groups of Cryptogamous plants. 



Those free cells which in their development initiate a new 

 generation, are termed spores. They consist of a simple 

 minute usually double-coated cell, containing protoplasm 

 and, it may be, starch, oil, and chlorophyll besides. 



From their superficial analogy with seeds, and playing 

 also, as they do, the part of seeds in respect ot the dis- 

 persion of species in many of the higher Cryptogams, the 

 spores are popularly regarded as, in some sort, parallel 

 structures with the seeds of Flowering Plants, and so we 

 find Cryptogams collectively treated of in many botanical 

 works as Acotyledonous, since, as indicated above, the spores 

 present no differentiation of organs, consequently no trace 

 of cotyledons. It will be obvious, however, that the use 

 of this term is misleading, at-' it infers a common ground 

 of contrast which does not exist. 



The more important Families of Cryptogams or Flower- 

 less Plants are : 



Presenting contrast of Stem and Leaf {Connophytes) :— 

 With Vasadar Bundles— 

 Ferns {Ftlices). 

 Horsetails {Eqiiisetacete). 

 Club-mosses i^Lycopodiacea) 



Evascular— 



Mosses (Musci). 

 Without contrast of Stem and Leaf (all wholly Cellular)— 

 iTAaiiopAyies)— 



Mushrooms and Moulds (Fungi). 

 Sea-weeds (Algce). 

 Lichens (JLichenes) 



I. Natural Order, Filices. — The Fern Family. 

 Leaves {fronds) curled upon themselves like a crosier 

 {circinate) before expansion. Fructification upon the under 

 surface of the frond, consisting of minute usually densely- 

 clustered capsules (sporanges) of one kind, containing 



