2 FLOWERLESS PLANTS 



members of that remarkable group which is 

 collectively known as the " Flowerless Plants." 

 Whilst a hmited number of these species are 

 conspicuous in one way or another, by far the 

 majority are of comparatively humble growth 

 and habit. To find out their beauties we must 

 be wiUing to adopt more patient methods than 

 those which are usually employed in the study 

 of popular botany. Yet it is quite certain that 

 our labours will be amply rewarded. Apart 

 from the actual beauty of the many forms 

 which will come under notice, it would, indeed, 

 be a difficult matter to discover a subject for 

 inquiry which is so full of romance. Indeed, 

 the beginner in the study feels that he has 

 entered such a new and wonderful world that 

 all the marvels which he has ever seen before 

 are cast into the shade. 



The flowerless plants plaj'cd a very import- 

 ant part in the early history of the world, but 

 they have been forced into a second place by 

 the ascendancy of the energetic blossoming 

 species. In many cases the types which we 

 have at the present time are but insignificant 

 representatives of most impressive forerunners. 

 The club mosses and horsetails of to-daj- are 



