CRYPTOGAMIA. 213 



but in most, if not all the other members of the genus, these 

 prgans are entire, and oblong lanceolate or ovate. 



The Banyan tree, (Ficus Indica,} which has already been 

 described and figured, and the Gum Elastic tree, (Ficus elas- 

 tica,) are species of this genus. The latter grows to the 

 height of twenty feet ; leaves smooth, entire, very large, thick 

 and shining ; shape oblong lanceolate ; stem branched ; bark 

 smooth and light ash colored. The tree is remarkably beau- 

 tiful. The gum is obtained by making incisions through the 

 bark, and at the present day is an article of great commercial 

 interest in South America. The over-shoes and bottles of 

 this substance, are formed by spreading the gum as it comes 

 from the tree, on properly shaped pieces of clay, coat after 

 coat being applied, until the required thickness is attained ; 

 the clay is then crushed, and poured out, and these articles 

 remain in the state in which we see them. 



CLASS XXIV. CRYPTOGAMIA. Orders 8. 



In this class the stamens and pistils are either hidden, imper- 

 fect or wanting. 



Cryptogamous plants differ essentially from any of those 

 we have formerly described. The number, or situation ot 

 the stamens and pistils, which heretofore have been our 

 guides in the arrangement of the classes and orders, cannot 

 be here employed for this purpose, since these organs in 

 some cases are concealed, in others very minute, and in 

 others apparently wanting entirely. This class has there- 



From what circumstances does the Fraxinus derive its ilame ? In what 

 respect is the flowering of the ficus genus peculiar ? What is the genus 

 and form of the tree which produces the gum elastic ? How do plants of 

 the class Cryptogamia differ from other plants ? 



