CLASSIFICA TION. 



205 



to assume that the specific development had followed lines parallel to 

 those of the individual, yet the latter may always serve to point out the 

 probable course of the former. 



268. Applying the preceding principles, so far as possi- 

 ble, we find that the vegetable kingdom may be quite readily 

 separated into six principal Divisions, which, although by no 

 means distinct, are capable of being quite clearly character- 

 ized. To these must be added a seventh, composed mainly 

 of unclassified and poorly understood forms. These seven 

 Divisions, beginning with the lowest, are, (1) Protophyta, 

 (2) Zygophyta, (3) Oophyta, (4) Carpophyta, (5) Bryophy- 

 ta, (6) Pteridophyta, (7) Phanerogamia, or Anthophyta. 



Their relation to the old groups Cryptogamia, Thallophy- 

 ta, etc., may be seen from the following tabular comparison : 



The arrangement in the fourth column, which will be fol- 

 lowed in this book, is essentially that of Sachs, with some 

 modifications, which will be pointed out hereafter. 



It is only necessary in this place to say that the classification here 

 given does not recognize the old groups Algie and Fungi. The terms 

 are, however, quite useful, if properly used and understood, and con- 

 sequently they will be retained when general reference is made to the 

 chlorophyll-bearing and the chlorophyll-free Thallophytes. By the 

 term alga must be understood a Thallopbyte which contains chloro- 

 phyll ; and by fungus one which is saprophytic or parasitic in habit, ( 

 and which is, as a consequence, destitute of chlorophyll. The terms 

 have thus, as here used, a physiological meaning only, and not a class- 

 ificatory one. 



