THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM 395 
conspicuous stalks; but these plants have no true roots, 
stems, or leaves with fibrovascular bundles, although often 
possessing very simply constructed parts resembling small 
roots, stems, and leaves. Humble green plants of this descrip- 
tion make up the bryophyte or mosswort division (Bryo- 
phyta). 
Finally come such comparatively simple forms as the so- 
called Iceland moss (Cetraria, page 169), the field mushroom 
(Agaricus, page 113), and the carrageen (Chondrus, page 112) 
which, although commonly propagating by spores that are 
sometimes in cases, have the cases either stalkless or other- 
wise plainly different from those of mossworts. True roots, 
stems, leaves, and fibrovascular bundles are never present, 
although the plant-body may be so lobed as to resemble 
somewhat that of higher plants. Hence these lowly organized 
plants form what is known as the thallophyte or lobewort 
division (Thallophyta). 
Our three examples of the lobewort division each represent 
one of its three subdivisions. These may usually be dis- 
tinguished by their different modes of life. The Iceland moss 
is an air-plant merely resting upon barren soil without having 
any means of drawing much nutriment from it, and is con- 
sequently dependent upon what it can get from the air. This 
mode of life is made possible by the somewhat spongy nature 
of the plant-body in which are embedded minute containers 
of chlorophyll that may become apparent upon wetting. 
Plants like this so-called ‘‘moss’”’ which thrive in barren 
places such as the surface of rocks, bark, dead wood, and 
sandy soil are of the lichen subdivision (Lichenes). The field 
mushroom differs from all lichens in being entirely destitute 
of chlorophyll because it feeds directly upon animal or vege- 
table manure in the soil. Lobeworts which can thus dispense 
with chlorophyll by feeding upon animals or plants or their 
decaying remains are of the mushroom or fungus subdivision 
(Fungi). Aquatic lobeworts, whether of fresh or salt water, 
which like carrageen contain chlorophyll (sometimes more or 
less obscured by red, brown, or blue coloring matters) form 
the seaweed or alga subdivision (Alge). 
The following synopses show in tabular view the divisions 
