A WIDE WORLD OF PLANT-LIFE 



33 



we pass innumerable Fungus-growths Mildew and 

 Blight, Toadstools and Mushrooms some of which are 

 poisonous, and some have unpleasant smells. But all 

 are in their nature vegetable. 



Nor must we omit to 

 note, in passing, the 

 vast array of Seaweeds ; 

 real plants these also. 

 Most of us know well 

 the pretty little branch- 

 ing red ones; and the 

 wide brown ribbons ; 

 and the slimy green 

 kinds ; but enormous 

 numbers besides are 

 found in other parts 

 of the world. 



All these Lichens, 

 Fungi, Seaweeds be- 

 long to the great Lower 

 Division of Flowerless 

 Plants. 



So also do the Mosses, 

 farther up; and the 

 huge brotherhood of 

 Ferns, higher up still. 



But when we get to the Mosses and Ferns, we see 

 that we have made a very important advance. They 

 come much closer to the Higher Division ; for they have 

 roots and stems and something very like leaves. Practi- 

 cally, the fronds take the place of leaves, and also they 

 take the place of flowers. 



FROND OP COMMON SEAWEED 



(Fucus Vesiculoaus.) 



