248 PLANT AND ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 
importance. In all cases of distinct characteristic habits of 
reproduction and form, one or more different chemical com-, 
pounds is found. 
In the next group of the Musiceae, or mosses, is an absence of 
some chemical compounds that were characteristic of the classes 
just described. Many of the albuminous substances are pre¬ 
sent. Starch 1 is found, often in large quantities, and also oily 
fats, which are contained in the oil bodies of the liverworts; 
wax, 2 organic acids, including aconitic acid, and tannin, which 
is found for the first time at this evolutionary stage of the plant 
kingdom. 
The vascular Cryptogams are especially characterized by 
their mineral composition. 3 The ash is extraordinarily rich 
in silicic acid and alumina. 
Equisetum 4 .silicic acid 
Aspidium. “ “ 
Asplenium. “ “ 
Osmunda. “ “ 
Lycopodium 5 . “ “ 
. alumina .. 
.. manganese 
60 per cent. 
13 “ 
35 
53 
U C 
cc c 
26 to 27 
2 to 2.5 
These various plants contain acids and compounds peculiar 
to themselves. 
As we ascend in the plant scale, we reach the Phanerogams. 
These plants are characterized by the production of true seeds, 
and many cjiemical compounds not found in lower plants. 
It will be convenient, in speaking of these higher groups, 
to follow M. Heckel’s 6 scheme of plant evolution. All these 
plants are grouped upder three main divisions: apetalous, 
monocotyledonous, and dicotyledonous, and these main di¬ 
visions are further subdivided. 
It will be observed that these three main parallel columns 
are divided into three general horizontal planes. 
1 E. Treffner, Inaugur. Diss. Dorpat , 1880. 2 W. Pfeffer, Flora, 1874. 
3 Die Pflanzenstoffe, p. 323. W. Lange, Bui. Ber., xi, 822. 
4 Ann. Chim. Phys., xli, 62, 208; Ann. Chim. Pharm., lxxvii, 295. 
5 Flückiger, Pharmakognosie. Kamp, Ann. Chim. Pharm., c, 300. 
6 Revue Scientifique, March 13, 1886. 
