138 FLOWERLESS PLANTS FERNS. 



FLOWERLZSS PLANTS. 



There yet remains, before we conclude this first division of our subject viz., the 

 structure of plants to mention a few special modifications of those organs now 

 described as they are found in the flowerless plants ; and in doing so we beg our 

 readeis to bear in mind, that they are not new structures but modifications of those 

 belonging to flowering plants. There is, however, the most marked line of demarcation 

 between flowering and flowerless plants, both in their minute composition and their 

 external configuration ; and we might almost venture to affirm, that we have here an 

 exception to the rule, that nature ascends and descends by imperceptible degrees. There 

 is, however, no new element in structure, in this lower division, than has already been 

 described in reference to the flowering plants ; so that the existing diversity is due to 

 the number and arrangement of these elements in the general fabric. 



It is customary to consider flowerless plants as more lowly organized than those 

 which bear flowers, although it is through them that the vegetable kingdom approaches 

 the animal. This seems paradoxical, seeing that the animal kingdom is manifestly of 

 a higher grade than that of vegetables ; and proves that, from the highest members of 

 the animal kingdom, we do not pass through the lowest to the highest vegetables (as 

 would be the case were the views commonly received properly carried out), and thence 

 to the lowest plant, but that the well-defined members of both kingdoms are wide as 

 the poles asunder, whilst the lowest members are so intimately associated, that it is yet 

 undecided whether they belong to the animal or the vegetable kingdoms. 



There is reason, however, in considering the flowerless plants as the lowest members 

 of the class, since their organization is more simple. Precisely so, also* in respect of 

 animals ; and thus the two kingdoms may be likened, not to one cone with an artificial 

 line drawn across it at some undefined point, but to two cones with their apices con- 

 nected, and their expanded part, or base, at either extremity. 



The great point of dissimilarity is that connected with the organs of reproduction ; 

 and the question of sexes, and their product, has ever been, as it now is, the bone of 

 contention. That every member of the whole is endowed with the faculty of repro- 

 duction is perfectly evident ; but the precise mode in which it operates, and even the 

 immediate seat of its operation, is shrouded in mystery. This, however, is only the 

 counterpart of the condition of the lowest animals ; and therefore the one is no more 

 matter for wonder than the other. In both kingdoms the lowest examples have abun- 

 dant power of reproduction ; but the distinction of sexes is not evident. When, there- 

 fore, we affirm that there is nothing new in the class of flowerless plants, we mean that 

 every part of the structure has its analogue in the higher division of the vegetable 

 kingdom. 



The flowerless plants are numerous and very varied, and comprehend chiefly the 

 Ferns, Club-mosses, and other kinds of Mosses, Lichens, Mushrooms, and Sea-weeds. 



Ferns. This extensive class of plants is known in this country only by herbaceous 

 varieties, or such as have their stem or root in the ground, and present to view a series 

 of leaves only (Fig. 266). But in hotter climes the stem is above ground, and often 

 attains the height of fifty or sixty feet, and a diameter larger than a man's thigh (Fig. 

 270). The following are their chief anatomical peculiarities : 



The leaves are termed fronds, and they bear the organs of fructification in little 

 cups or receptacles on their edges, or on their under surface (Fig. 267). These exhibit 



