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PLANT REMAINS/^^gj^rpr 121 



be rendered intelligible in a general way by the study of 

 the annexed tabulations : 



The Vegetable Kingdom may be arranged into two grand divisions 

 the CELLULAR and VASCULAR ; and these again, according to their modes 

 of growth and reproduction, into the following groups and classes : 



I. CELLULAR Without regular vessels, but composed of fibres which 



sometimes cross and interlace each other. The Conferva (green scum- 

 like aquatic growths), the Lichens (which incrust stones and decaying 

 trees), the Fungi (or mushroom tribe), and the Algce (or sea- weeds), 

 belong to this division. In some of these families there are no ap- 

 parent seed-organs. From their mode of growth viz., sprout-like 

 increase of the same organ they are known as -THALLOGENS or 

 AMPHIGENS, and constitute the lowest orders of vegetation. 



II. VASCULAR With vessels which form organs of nutrition and repro- 

 duction. According to the arrangement of these organs, vascular 

 plants have been grouped into two great divisions CRYPTOGAMIC 

 (no visible seed-organs), and PHANEROGAMIC (apparent flowers or 

 seed-organs). These have been further subdivided into the following 

 classes ascending from the lower to the higher forms : 



1. CRYPTOGAMS Without flowers, and with no visible seed-organs. 



To this class belong the mosses, equisetums, ferns, and lycopo- 

 diums. It embraces many fossil forms allied to these families. 

 From their mode of growth viz., increase at the top or grow- 

 ing point they are known as ACROGENS. 



2. PHANEROGAMIC MONOCOTYLEDONS Flowering plants with one 



cotyledon or seed-lobe. This class comprises the water-lilies, 

 lilies, aloes, rushes, grasses, canes, and palms. In allusion to 

 their growth by increase within, they are termed ENDOGENS. 



3. PHANEROGAMIC GYMNOSPERMS This class, as the name indi- 



cates, is furnished with flowers, but has naked seeds. It em- 

 braces the cycadece or cycas and zamia tribe, and the conifera 

 or firs and pines. In allusion to their naked seeds, these plants 

 are also known GYMNOGENS. 



4. PHANEROGAMIC DICOTYLEDONS Flowering plants with two 



cotyledons or seed-lobes. This class embraces all forest trees 

 and shrubs the composite, leguminosce, umbelliferce, cruciferce, 

 and other similar orders. None of the other families of plants 

 have the true woody structure, except the coniferce or firs, 

 which seem to hold an intermediate place between mono- 

 cotyledons and dicotyledons ; but the wood of these is readily 

 distinguished from true dicotyledonous wood. From their 

 mode of growth increase by external rings or layers they 

 are termed EXOGENS. 



