mechanical, chemical, and industrial, must be completed, each demanding forethought, skill, diligence, patience. Constantly is he reminded in the changing seasons, and in the elements he cannot regulate, of his dependence upon Parental bounty, and that he does "not live by bread alone," but also upon Divine promise. But the profoundest and most precious analogy is that given by Him whose Spirit breathes in universal nature, and renders every object expressive of His own wisdom and love, and who dwelt on earth in human form to atone and to sanctify;" I am the bread of life."

DIVISION VI.

CRYPTOGAMIA. Part I., chap. 1., § 2.

THIS division differs from all the former in containing plants destitute of true flowers, not being furnished with stamens and pistils.

The seeds called sporules, are extremely minute, only to be discerned by a powerful microscope, and are contained and matured either in small variously-shaped vessels, or in the substance of the plant itself.

The plants included under this division are exceedingly numerous and various in shape and texture. The terrestrial species may be considered as the pioneers of vegetation, being the first to cover any barren spot.

In the older geological strata, ferns and fern-like plants are very abundant in a fossil state, especially in the coal formation.

Separate works have been written by eminent botanists upon each of the following sub-divisions, by the use of which alone can the Cryptogamic plants be advantageously studied, especially as each family requires its peculiar set of terms and explanatory plates.

The limits of this work will not allow of more than a very general reference to the families of this division.

A good

microscope is indispensable in determining the genera and species.

"Each moss,

Each shell, each crawling insect holds a rank
Important in the plan of Him who formed
This scale of beings, holds a rank which lost,
Would break the chain, and leave a gap
That Nature's self would rue !"

1. The Fern Family. Filices.

The British species consist entirely of plants with leaves called fronds, rising immediately from the root, and often much divided with great regularity and symmetry. The seed-vessels or thecæ, are contained upon the back or along the edges of the frond, in round clusters, lines, &c., called sori. (Plate I. Fig. 8.)

The fructification is matured in autumn.

species numerous.

The most common are :—

British genera and

Brake. Pteris aquilina. Fructification in lines along the edges of the very large, spreading, and much divided frond. Most abundant on heaths and in woods.

Shield-fern. Aspidium.-This genus has the fructification in numerous round clusters upon the back of the frond. Each cluster is covered by a little membranous shield.

Blunt S. A. filix mas. Fronds long, twice pinnate, pinnules blunt. This common fern has an elegant appearance, under circumstances favourable for its mature developement, the fronds being arranged in the form of a vase. Woods and hedge-banks.

Prickly S. A. lobatum.-A. aculeatum.-A. angulare.-3 species passing by numerous varieties into each other. Frond twice pinnate, pinnules prickly. Woods and hedge-banks.

Prickly-toothed S. A. spinulosum.-An exceedingly variable plant. In some of its forms large and very handsome. Fronds generally three times pinnate, pinnules sharply toothed. Moist woods.

Polypody. Polypodium vulgare.-Fronds simply pinnate. Fructification in numerous round clusters, without shields. Common on walls, roots of trees, &c.

Spleenwort. Asplenium.-This genus includes several very delicate and beautiful species, distinguished by having the fructification in linear masses near the veins of the frond, and partially covered by a membrane which arises from them.

Hart's tongue. Scolopendrium vulgare.-Fronds long, simple, not pinnated, with broad lines of fructification on the back. Hedges and damp places.

Osmund royal. Osmunda regalis.-The largest of British ferns. Fronds twice pinnate, pinnules large undivided. Fructification at the extremity of the frond, which becomes in this part entirely changed in appearance, having some resemblance to a densely clustered flower-branch. It sometimes attains above ten feet in height. Boggy places.

“Winding through palmy fern, and rushes fenny,

And ivy banks; leading full pleasantly

To a wide lawn, whence one can only see
Stems thronging all around, between the swell
Of turf and slanting branches; who can tell
The freshness of the space of heaven above,
Edg'd round with dark tree tops."

2. The Horse-tail Family. Equisetaceæ.

Horse-tail. Equisetum.-Plants with hollow stems and often numerous whorled branches, having many sheathing joints. Fructification on a club-shaped receptacle at the extremity of the stem. (Plate I., Fig. 9.)

3. The Club-moss Family. Lycopodiaceae.

Club-moss. Lycopodium.-Moss-like plants with long, trailing, almost woody stems, found principally upon mountains and lofty heathy hills.