OF THE DIFFERENT TRIBES OF PLANTS. 15 



and aborescent, bearing some resemblance in tbeir structure to those of the 

 Monocotyledones ; and the organs of reproduction appear always to consist 

 of two distinct sexes, which produce seminula contained in conceptacles of 

 complex organization. 



This class contains the Equisetacete, Filices, Lycopodiacece, Marsi- 

 liaceee, and Characeee. 



IV. GYMNOSPERMOUS PHANEROGAMIC PLANTS. 



To this class belong the very remarkable families of Cycadece and Co- 

 nifers, which cannot be referred to any of the other classes, as their seeds, 

 which are destitute of capsules, receive directly the action of the fecundating 

 substance, and their stems differ in many respects from those of the true 

 Dicotyledones. 



V. MONOCOTYLEDONOUS PHANEROGAMIC PLANTS. 



In this class, the female organs of reproduction consist of ovules con- 

 tained in an ovarium, which transmits to them the influence of the fecun- 

 dating fluid ; the embryo has only a single cotyledon ; the stem is herba- 

 ceous, bulbiform or arborescent, is formed of fibro-vascular fasciculi, is de- 

 veloped by its central part, and is destitute of concentric rings or distinct 

 bark. 



To this class belong the Graminece, Juncece, Cyperacece, Liliacece, 

 Palms, &c. 



i 



VI. DICOTYLEDONOUS PHANEROGAMIC PLANTS. 



The female organs of reproduction are of similar structure to those of 

 the last class ; the embryo has two cotyledons ; the stem is herbaceous or 

 woody, and, in the latter case, is formed of concentric layers, and receives 

 its development from the exterior. 



This class contains the greater part of the more ordinary vegetation of 

 the present epoch. 



