CRYPT0GAM1A EQUISETACEJE 573 



Ai ar7 icnts monadelphous, protruded beyond the scales, and bearing ihc lobcd 

 lute anthers in a roundish-oval head. Fruit an oval imperfect drupe, cup like, 

 t open at summit, dark orange-red and succulent when mature, containing an 

 tt) brown nut. 

 Ibb. Banks of the Schuylkill, at Black Rock: rare. Fl. April. Fr. Sept. 



Obs This, though a more humble shrub, seems to be nearly allied to the T. 



toccata of Europe. It is rare in this County,— having only been found in the 



Iwve locality ;— where it was collected by D. Townsend, Esq. in 1829. It is th<* 



uly species known in the U. Slates, and is worthy of culture among ornamental 



ibrubbery. 



CLASS XXI. CRYPTOGAMIA.* 



Dir. I. Fern-like plants. Flowerlcss perennial plants, mostly 

 herbaceous, with a stem having a vascular system, and, for the most 

 hart distinct leaves, or fronds ; their sporules or seeds having a 

 proper integument, and contained in distinct axillary or dorsal thcc». 

 Filicoide.b. Lindl. 



Order 1 # Equisetaceac. 



Horse-tail tribb. Flower less plants, with their sporules surrounded by elastic 

 t \isMjilatnent8, and enclosed in thecce or capsules arising from the scales •»( 

 terminal cones. Vernation straight. Xat. Ord. 2G3. Lindl. 



459. EQUISETUM. L. MM. Gen. 808. 



[latin, Equus, a horse, and Seta, a bristle, or hair ; resembling a horse-tail. J 



Ynictifica'ion in terminal ament-like spikes, or cones, composed of 

 peltate hexagonal subverticillatc scales, on the under side of which are 

 from 4 to 7 indusia (or involucres) which contain the sporules. Spor- 

 ules numerous, globose, enfolded by 4 elastic clavatc or spatulate fila- 

 ments. Plants leafless, mostly with verticillate branches. Stem and 

 branches striate-sulcate, jointed, the joints separable, and surrounded 

 by a membranous dentate or incised sheath. 



t Fertile stems simple, succulent, brownish, appearing before the 

 sterile ones and soon dying away, — the sterile ones remaining through 

 the summer, with verticillate branches* 



I. E. auvknse, L. Sterile stems erect, or sub-decumbent, slightly 

 scabrous, with simple ascending 3 or 4-angled branches, and the 

 sheaths with subulate-lanceolate teeth ; fertile stems erect, without 

 branches, the sheaths large, loose, with long acuminate teeth. Beck\ 

 Hot. p. 446. 

 Kikld Eat7i8ETU3r. Vulgo — Horse-tail. 



♦ This large and remarkable Class comprises all plants which are destitute ttf 

 flowers ; and it has been subdivided into Orders, or Families, which are altogether 

 natural. These Orders have been grouped into Three Divisions — viz. I. FiLicoin- 

 t.B, or Fern-like plants— 2. Muscoioejb, or Moss-like plants— and 3. Aphyllbj?, 

 or Leafless flowerless plants. Of these Divisions I propose hereto notice only 

 i\\e first; namely the Ferns, and Ftrn-like plants, which have been detected In 

 Cheater County. 



