2IO On the Classification of Plants. 



ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF PLANTS. 



Classification is a long word for a common operation of every mind. 

 When we consider those animals that have bones, as either beasts, birds, 

 fishes, or reptiles, the philosopher says that we classify vertebrate animals 

 into four divisions. 



We always want to classify when we can. If I tell you that the Chceto- 

 don rostratus is a creature that shoots a fly with a drop of water, you do 

 not feel as well satisfied as when I tell you that it is a fish that shoots 

 flies. 



We classify animals more naturally than plants. What I wish now is to 

 give you the satisfaction of classifying plants better. By plants, I mean all 

 living things — organic beings — that are not animals. In fact, we classify 

 when we divide the organic world into animals and plants ; and it is rather 

 difficult, when we get down to the sponge, to decide to which kingdom it 

 belongs. 



The first step in classifying plants is easy. It is \v'\i\\fiowering zndfiow- 

 erless ; or, if you like tough words, into Phanerogams and Cryptogams. But 

 the flowering plants include those whose flowers are not showy, as the oaks 

 and willows. 



The flowerless plants you classify so well into ferns, ground-pines, mosses, 

 fungi, and seaweeds, that I shall say no more about them ; certainly not 

 at this time. 



The flowering plants are divided into three sections ; and for these we 

 cannot well avoid the use of the scientific names, — Endogens, Gymnosperms, 

 Exogens. In all these words, the g ought to be hard as in gimlet. Most 

 people sound it as / in Endog:n and Exogen. All have the accent on the 

 first syllable, — En'-do-gen, Gym'-no-sperm, Ex'-o-gen. 



Between the other two sections stand the Gymnosperms. Except the 

 Cycas, seen in some greenhouses, all of the Gymnosperms you are ever likely 

 to see are called evergreens. I do not recollect of ever hearing of a Gym- 

 nosperm that was not a tree or a bush. The Cycas we generally see as a 

 tree a few inches high, about six in diameter, and crowned with leaves 

 several feet long. The pine is the type of the rest. 



