176 BOTANY. [chap. v. 



Cryptogams, where the fertilizing body is still a motile 

 antherozoid. 



It is not intended to enter further into the classifica- 

 tion of Cryptogams. The Phanerogams are divided into 

 the two following primary divisions : — 



Phaneeoqamia. 



I. — QymnospermecB. 



Fibro-vascular bundles open, arranged concentrically. 

 Ovules naked, produced on open carpellary leaves; 

 fertilization direct, the pollen coming in actual contact 

 with the ovule. 



The following natural orders are all that are included 

 in the Gymnospermous division of Phanerogams : — 



Oomi/isrcB, including firs, pines, cedars, yews, araucarias, 

 etc. The female inflorescence usually consists of a col- 

 lection of carpels crowded on a long axis and forming 

 a cone ; hence the name of the order. 



CyeadecB, including the cycads, zamias, etc. The 

 species resemble tree-ferns and palms in general appear- 

 ance, having a more or less elongated trunk crowned by 

 a tuft of very large, much divided leaves. 



Gymnosperms are geologically the oldest group of 

 Phanerogams, and most nearly allied to their prede- 

 cessors, the Cryptogams, and still retain vestiges of 

 structural peculiarities that were well developed and 

 characteristic of the last-named group, such as traces of 

 the prothallus in the pollen-grain and ovule, the occur- 

 rence of several oospheres in the ovule, the formation of 

 endosperm previous to fertilization, etc. 



