26 PIIANEllOGAMIA AND CRYPTOGAM I A. 



hereafter explained), and form that perfect seed, which is cha- 

 racteristic of this division. In all the PHANEROGAM i A, (save in 

 a few exceptions which stand, as it were, on the border of the 

 division, and connect it with that of Cryptogamia, of which they 

 exhibit some of the characters,) we find a certain number of 

 distinct parts, such as the stem, roots, leaves, and flowers ; and 

 the germs by which they propagate their race, come to an 

 advanced state before quitting the parent, and are furnished with 

 a store of nourishment, by which they are afterwards assisted in 

 their growth. The seed of these plants has, therefore, a complex 

 structure ; and the young plant shoots from it in a certain 

 determinate manner (Chap. xn.). 



20. In the CRYPTOGAMIA, on the other hand, the parts con- 

 cerned in the reproductive process are much less evident, and the 

 germs which they form, are much less matured when they quit 

 the parent structure. In the Mosses, Ferns, Sea- Weeds, &c. no 

 seeds are produced : but a number of small particles are liberated, 

 which are termed spores ; and each of these contains within it 

 several minute germs, which spring from it without any par- 

 ticular regularity, and which are not assisted in their growth by 

 any such store of nutriment, as that provided in the seed. The 

 absence of this is a very important character; for it seems a 

 universal law of Nature, that the higher the grade a living being 

 is ultimately to attain, the longer is the period during which it 

 is assisted, either directly or indirectly, by its parent, during the 

 early stages of its growth. Thus Quadrupeds, which bring forth 

 their young alive, and maintain them afterwards by suckling, 

 are higher than Birds, which produce them, in the first instance, 

 in a state far less mature. And Man, who in his adult age rises 

 far above all other animals, is longer dependent upon his parent 

 during the period of infancy. 



21. The embryo of the Flowering-plant, contained in the 

 mature seed, is so far advanced at the time of quitting its parent, 

 that it possesses one or two distinct leafy bodies, termed cotyledons, 

 which, when the seed begins to germinate (as it is called), a-.e 

 pushed up to the surface of the ground, and there turn to a green 

 colour, and perform all the functions of true leaves, until these 



