CLASS XXIV. CRYPTOGAMIA * 
(clandestine marriages.) 
This class consists of such genera in which the parts of 
fructification, either from their minuteness, or particular 
structure or situation, are imperfectly visible, or entirely 
coiicealed. 
This class contains four orders , 
ORDER I. FILICES. 
(ferns.) 
Containing such plants as bear their fruit on spikes, or in spots or lines on thp 
under surface of the leaves, though sometimes at the root.—It admits of the follows 
ing character: The calyx , a scale growing put of the leaf, opening on one side** 
under which are pedunculate globules, each encompassed by an elastic ring, which^ 
breaking with violence, scatters a powder. But as there are no certain distinction^ 
in the fructification sufficient to establish the genera, Linpaeus hath arranged them 
according to the form and situation thereof, under the leaves or frondsf. 
JsT° Genera. 
N° of 
Growth, species, Native of 
1st. Fructification spiked, 
Species in 
Britain. 
3 EquisetumJ 
h 
7 Europe 
Brit. § 
2 Onoclea 
h 
2 Virginia 
3 Ophioglossum^ 
h 
9 America, Japan 
Brit. 1 
4 Osmunda 
h 
21 Cape, Virg. Ceylon 
Brit. 4 
* The plants pf ihis cl^ss are often of a dangerous quality. 
f Fronds.—See note to palmed. 
X In general the fructification in this order of ferns is on the back of the leaf? but 
there are some exceptions.—In equisetum (horse-tail) it is in a spike, each fruc¬ 
tification being orbiculated, and gaping at its many-valved base. Hedwig has* 
determined the flowers of horse-tail and adder* s-tongue to be monoclinian, 
§ Ophioglossum vulgalum (adder’s-tongue) is the only English species ; it hath 
no visible flower, but is easily known by its spike or tongue (whence the name), 
growing on the lower part of the leaf, and extending to about the same length, 
containing many small seeds. 
