Dee., 1911.] 
The Classification of Plants, VII. 
4 1 1 
to normal organs it is not necessary to give much weight to such 
results. In the higher plants vestiges are exceedingly abundant 
and give a plain index to the course of phylogenetic development. 
Derivations or supposed relationships are also frequently based 
on assumptions from isolated morphological peculiarities which 
can be explained equally well on other assumptions that will not 
require the complete re-creation of the species from its supposed 
ancestor. 
The basis of a modem taxonomy must at all events include the 
following principles: 
1. The comparative study of the organography and anatomy 
of plants, proceeding from the simple to the more complex. 
2. The definite recognition of primordia and transformations 
on the one hand and of vestiges on the other. 
3. A study of incepts, embryological developments and 
juvenile forms. 
4. The investigation of lines of degeneration and special- 
ization, in both low and high types, leading from complex to simple 
structures. 
5. The segregation of the units into genetically or phylogenet- 
ically related groups. 
6. The arrangement of the branches thus segregated into 
series extending from the lowest and least differentiated to the 
most highly specialized. 
7. In a word, the whole scheme of classification must show 
the result which has come about through progressive evolution, 
segregation, degredation, and specialization. 
In the sixth article of this series of papers, an airangement 
of the orders and families of Anthophyta found in the North- 
eastern United States was given. Since then the scheme has 
undergone some slight change in the writer’s hands. It is be- 
lieved that after this no important changes need be made for 
some time except perhaps the transfer of a few families after a 
wider knowledge of them is gained. The changes are as follows > 
Transfer the Limnanthaceae to the Geraniales following the 
Oxalidaceae. 
Interchange the subfamilies Melanthatae and Liliatae, placing 
the latter as the lowest group of the Liliaceae. 
Divide the Hydrangeaceae into two subfamilies, Philadel- 
phatae and Hydrangeatae. 
Following the order, Saxifragales, insert the order Thvme- 
leales including in sequence the families, Lythraceae, Thvme- 
leaceae, Elaeagnaceae. 
A preliminary synopsis is now given of the subclasses and 
orders of the Anthophyta. It is hoped that this may present a 
better view of the phyhetic classification as applied to” the higher 
plants and stimulate to further study. 
