16 POPULAR SKETCH OF THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 



stem, in the cuticle of which silex is secreted. Found in rivers, ditches, &c., in various 

 parts of the world. They are sometimes used for polishing furniture, &c. Lindley 

 mentions 1 genus, and 10 species. (Fig. 135.) 



213. .Filices, FERNS. Elegant leafy plants, occurring chiefly in moist, insular 

 climates, and abounding in the tropical islands. In warm countries they occur as 

 Tree-ferns, fifty or sixty feet in height. The properties of the Ferns are in general 

 demulcent and astringent. The rhizomes of some are used as food, and others supply 

 tanning material. The syrup called Capillaire is prepared from some species. Liudley 

 notices 192 genera, and upwards of 2,000 species. (Fig. 136). 



214. MarsileaceSB, PEPPER-WORTS. Stemless plants, creeping or floating, found in 

 ditches and pools. They are not put to any important use. There are 4 genera, and 

 upwards of 20 species. 



215. LyCOpodiaceSB, CLUB-MOSSES. Moss-like plants, with creeping stems, and 

 imbricated leaves, intermediate between Ferns and Mosses. They abound in moist, 

 warm, insular climates. These plants have, in their spore cases, an inflammable 

 powder, called vegetable brimstone, which is employed on the Continent in the manu- 

 facture of fire-works, and in pharmacy to roll up pills to render them impervious to 

 damp. There are 6 genera, and 200 species. (Fig. 137). 



216. MllSCi, MOSSES. Erect, creeping, terrestrial, or aquatic plants, found in all 

 moist regions, and abounding in temperate climates. There are, according to Lindley, 

 46 known genera, and 1,100 species. 



217. HepaticSB, LIVERWORTS Plants growing on the earth or trees in damp 

 places. They are generally distributed over the globe, both in cold and warm climates. 

 There are 65 genera, and about 700 species. 



THALOGEN.ZE, Of CELLULARES. 



Structure entirely cellular, without distinct stems, leaves, or stomata. 



218. LiclieneS, LICHENS. Plants often spreading over the surface of the earth, or 

 rocks, or trees, in dry places, as a foliaceous, hard, or leprous substance, called a 

 thallu?. They are found in all parts of the world, and seem to derive their nourish- 

 ment principally from the atmosphere. Lichens furnish articles of food and important 

 dyes; among the former class is the substance known as Iceland Moss. Cladonia 

 rangiferina is a Lichen upon which the Reindeer feeds. The valuable dyes, Orchil, 

 Cudbear, and Parietin, are obtained from different species of Lichens (Fig. 138). 

 Lindley gives 58 genera, and 2,400 species. 



219. Fungi, MUSHROOMS. Cellular plants, variable in their consistence, soft or 

 hard, fibrous or gelatinous, fleshy or leathery. Found in all parts of the world. 

 There are, according to Berkeley, 598 genern, and 4,000 species. Some species are 

 edible, as the common Mushroom, Morel, and Truffle; others are poisonous; and some 

 very destructive, from their parasitical growth. Some Fungi are limited to certain 

 kinds of decaying matter; thus peculiar species are developed in vinegar, yeast, 

 flour, &c. The rapidity of their growth is also remarkable. Blight, mildew, rust, 

 and smut, are diseases in grain due to the attacks of Fungi, as is also dry-rot in 

 timber. (Fig. 139.) 



220. AlgSJ, SEA- WEEDS. Cellular plants found in salt and fresh water, and in moist 

 places, as on damp rocks, the glass and pots of hothouses, and in hot springs. These 

 plants have been arranged into five divisions, as follows: 1. Characeae, water plants 

 formed of parallel tubes, sometimes encrusted with carbonate of lime. 2. Fucaceae, the 

 Sea- wrack tribe, usually growing in salt water. 3. Floridese, rose or purple- coloured 

 sea-weeds, with fronds. 4. Confervacese, aquatic plants, consisting of one or more 

 cells united so as to form an articulated or flat frond. 5. Diatomaceae, crystalline, 

 angular, fragmentary, and brittle fronds, united by a gelatinous substance. Found in 

 still waters and moist places. Lindley enumerates 283 genera, and 2,000 species. 

 Some of the species are very gigantic, others exceedingly minute, requiring a micro- 

 scope for their detection. The lowest members of the order approach so nearly the 

 lowest tribes of animals, that it is difficult to draw a line of demarcation. Some 

 species are said to occur in red and green snow, and the red and green colours of certain 

 lakes and seas are attributed to these plants. A quantity of gelatinous matter is ob- 

 tained from these plants, and some of them are used for food, as Carrajeen or Irish 

 Moss (Fig. 140), Dulse, Tangle, Laver, &c. Kelp is obtained by the burning of Sea- 

 weeds, and Iodine is also procured from them. 



For details of the structure and physiology of plants, see " STEWART'S SYNOPSIS OF STRUCTURAL 

 AND PHYSIOLOGICAL BOTANY," with 84 Engravings. Price Is. plain ; 2s. coloured. Pub- 

 lished by JAMES REYNOLDS, 174, Strand. 



