PALEOBOTANY. 



CHAPTER XLIX. 



GrENEKAL EeLATIONS OF PLANTS TO TiME. 



The subject of Palasobotany or Palseophytology is one which 

 is far too vast to be treated of in a work of this nature ; 

 whilst it is one which is of less importance to the general 

 student than that of Palajozoology. For this reason, nothing 

 further will be attempted here than to give the briefest and 

 most elementary outline- sketch of the general distribution of 

 plants in past time, to which will be added a short summary 

 of the chief forms of vegetable life which characterise 

 each of the great formations. The following table shows 

 the leading groups into which the Vegetable Kingdom is 

 divided : — 



Divisions of the Vegetable Kingdom. 



I. Cryptogamic Plants (Gr. kruptos, concealed ; gamos, marriage), 

 distinguished by having no distinct flowers or fruit. They inckide — 



a. Thallogens.—Ex. Sea-weeds {Algm), Lichens (Lichenes), Mushrooms, 

 &c. (Fimgi). 



h. Anogens. — Ex. Liverworts {Hepaticcc), Mosses (Musci). 



c. Acrogens. — Ex. Club-mosses (Lycopodiacece), Ferns {Filices), Horse- 

 tails {Equisetacem). 



II. Phanerogamic Plants (Gr. phaneros, conspicuous ; gamos, mar- 

 riage), distinguished by having distinct flowers and seeds. They are 

 divided into — 



