SYNOPSIS

OF THE

CLASSES, ORDERS, AND MINOR SUBDIVISIONS

OF THE

VEGETABLE KINGDOM.

With their chief Associating and Differential Characters reduced to the Form of General Rules: the most important Exceptions being added, and the principal Synonymes prefixed.

PLANTE, VEGETABILIA:

PLANTS, VEGETABLES, OR VEGETALS.

(4953.) GEN. RULE. Organic living beings, endowed with irritability, but devoid of sense and voluntary motion. (2-8.)

(4954.) EXCEPTIONS. The Oscillatoriæ exhibit motions which are apparently spontaneous; but the propriety of their location amongst vegetables is questionable. Too little is known of the Zoocarpes to allow them to be admitted as exceptions. (181-29.)

(4955.) Observations. Plants are for the most part fixed and stationary, being attached either to the soil in which they grow, or to some other body, which, while it gives them support, deprives them of the privilege of locomotion. They are seldom free, for, although a few aquatics are unattached to solid matter, they float in water, which is their fitting soil; and their casual movements from place to place are the result of external and independent forces.

Vegetables have no common receptacle for food (or stomach); their chief organs of nutrition are external, those of imbibition and absorption being usually collected on the lower parts, and stretch downwards, forming roots; while the flowers and seeds, or other equivalent organs of reproduction, are mostly found upon the upper parts, as on the stem and branches. Hence, from this reversed scheme of organization, plants have been said by some naturalists to be inverted animals.

(4956.) NOTE. The vegetable reign or kingdom has been variously divided into regions or sub-kingdoms: the most important of these are founded on the modifications observable in the organs of vegetation and reproduction.

According to the reproductive system, plants have been distinguished into the flowering or seedbearing, and the flowerless or seedless groups; and, according to the nutritive system, they have been distinguished into the cellular or homogeneous, and the vascular, or, rather, the tubivascular series, which are heterogeneous.

These schemes, although differing in some cardinal points, have still many characters in Thus the flowerless or seedless plants are almost universally cellular, and the flowering or seedbearing ones as constantly tubivascular.

common.

The ferns form the chief exception to this rule, for, although flowerless, they are tubivascular; and their heterogeneous unstratified stems, as well as their general port and habit, associate them intimately with one part of the flowering tubivascular series; for the unstratified tubivascular plants, if allied to the stratified ones by their heterogeneous structure, are also connected to the cellular ones by their want of stratification, as well as by their partial destitution of flowers. Hence an intermediate region is distinguishable, in which both the organs of nutrition and reproduction are considered as affording differential characters: and the scheme thus assumes a ternary instead of a binary disposition.

Although some of the more obvious natural associations, such as Fungi, Mosses, Ferns, and Grasses, Rushes, Thistle-like and Umbel-flowering plants, were early recognized, and almost universally admitted, and although such associations were extended and multiplied by several systematic botanists, especially by Lobel and Pena, yet it was not until the time of Ray that these isolated and often ill assorted groups were reduced to any general scheme, or the arrangement of vegetables according to their natural affinities attempted. The plans

of Cæsalpinus and Morison are rather artificial than natural in their construction; and it is to the Methodus Emendata of Ray, published in 1703, that the rise of the present natural system must be traced. Upon it the systems both of Linnæus and Jussieu were founded; and, notwithstanding the numerous alterations made in the details, its general principles were adopted by both, and indeed have been almost invariably followed in spirit, however terms may have been altered, to the present time.

(4957.) Ray divided vegetables into two great classes, the FLOWERLESS and the FLOWERING; the latter being again immediately divided into the DI- and MONOCOTYLEDONS. The Flowerless plants of Ray are equivalent to the Cryptogamic or Acotyledonous series of Linnæus and Jussieu, and to the Cellulares of most modern writers; De Candolle, however, excludes the Ferns. And the Flowering plants of Ray are equivalent to the Phænogamic or Cotyledonous series of the present day, and to the Vasculares of De Candolle. Furthermore, the Mono- and Di- Cotyledons of Ray are identical with those of Linnæus and Jussieu ; and, excepting the Ferns, with the Endogene and Exogenæ of De Candolle.

Vegetables may therefore be primarily divided either, according to Ray, into the Flowerless and Flowering series, the latter being immediately divisible in Di- and Monocotyledons, or, according to Linnæus and Jussieu, into A- Mono- and Di- cotyledons, as the primary divisions. Or, according to De Candolle, into Cellulares and Vasculares, the latter being distinguished into Endogena and Erogenæ. Or into the Cryptogamic and Phænogamic, the

Serual and Esexual, the Embryonate and Erembryonate groups of various authors, which are but other names for the primary classes of Ray; or, as in the preceding Outlines, into the Myc-affines, Term-affines, and Cresc-affines, which names have been proposed to obviate the objections common to terms including a definition.

REGION I.

MYCAFFINES: MOSS ALLIES.

(4958.) SYN. PLANTE CELLULARES. De Cand. ACOTYLEDONEE and PSEUDOCOTYLEDONEE, Agardh. ARHIZE, Richard. SYNGENE, Fries. TELOGENE, Burn. ACROGENE, Lind. PART of ACOTYLEDONES and CRYPTOGAME, Juss. and Linn. HoMONEMEA and HETERONEMEA, Bartl. PLANTE FLORE DESTITUTE, Ray.

(4959.) GEN. RULE. Cellular, flowerless, seedless plants, propagated by spores, sporidia, or frustules.

(4960.) Obs. The cellular structure of these plants is variable in form, but always destitute of tubular vessels. Their tegument differs from true cuticle, in being scarcely distinguishable from the cellular substance it encloses, and in being destitute of stomata, except in Marchantia and Targiona of the Liverworts. Their leaves, when present, are without a pleurophyl or skeleton, and their stems, even when apparently endogenous, are unstratified and homogeneous. When the organs assume a definite number, their disposition is binary or quaternary.

CLASS I. ALGE OR ALGARES: FLAGS.

(4961.) SYN. ALGE et LICHENES, Auct. ALGÆ, Linn. and Juss. Part of PLANTE FLORE DESTITUTE AQUIS IMMERSE, Ray. Phycei, Ach, and CONFERVE, Dillw. THALASSIOPHYTA, Lamour. HYDROPHYTA, Lyngb. LICHENES, HYDROPHYCA, Fries.

(4962.) GEN. RULE. Foliaceous Mycaffines, or agamic cellular plants, with the thallus always present, and for the most part leaf-like, but without any distinct

axis.

(4963.) Obs. The thallus is sometimes very minute, as in Endocarpon athallum of the Lichens; and sometimes scarcely foliaceous, as in the Byssine Lichens, which are intimately connected with the Fungi.

CLASS II. FUNGI OR FUNGARES: MUSHROOMS, &c.

(4964.) SYN. FUNGI, Ray, Lin. Juss. FUNGI, GASTEROMYCI, &c. Grev. EPIPHYTE, Link. HYMENOMYCETES, GASTEROMYCETES, PYRENOMYCETES, and CONIOMYCETES, Fries, Bart!, &c.

GEN. RULE. Aphyllous Mycaffines, or leafless, flowerless, cellular plants, for the most part very fugacious.

(4965.) Obs. The fungi contain a large proportion of azote in their chemical composition; hence the animal odour they possess, and the fetor they exhale when decaying. Some of the higher fungi develop an axis or regular stem; and the lower ones, which the most resemble the subfoliaceous Lichens, are distinguishable in the obscure tribes by the presence of fruit or spores, and the subordination or even absence of the thallus, which is essential to the Algæ.

CLASS III. MUSCI OR MUSCARES: MOSSES, &c.

(4966.) SYN. MUSCI, Vet. Auct. Part of MUSCI, Ray. Musci et HEPATICE, Linn. and Juss. CELLULARES FOLIACEE, De Cand. PSEUDO-COTYLEDONEE, Agardh. MUSCOIDEE, Agardh., Lind., &c. CRYPTOGAME, CEL

LULARES, Nees Von Esenbeck, &c.

(4967.) GEN. RULE. Cellular, flowerless, seedless plants, with a distinct axis, and processes either in the form of leaves or branches; the spores invested with a proper integument, and contained in urns, which are for the most part terminal or axillary, rarely imbedded, and then superficial.

(4968.) Obs. Although the axis is one of the most constant characters of this class, it is scarcely developed in some of the Liverworts; but when thus obscure, the green leafy structure and urns or thecæ, form sufficient diagnostic signs; and, when the leaves are absent, as in the Charas, the distinct axis, whorled branches, and axillary fruit, forbid all doubt.

REGION II.

TERMAFFINES, OR GRASS-ALLIES.

(4969.) SYN. VASCULARES ENDOGENE, De Cand. MONOCOTYLEDONES, and part of ACOTYLEDONES, Ray, Linn., and Juss. ENDORHIZEE, Rich. CryptoCOTYLEDONEÆ or GRANIFERE, and PSEUDO-COTYLEDONEE, Agardh. ENDOGENE and FILICOIDEA. Lind.

GEN. RULE. Tubivascular, unstratified, endogenous plants.

(4970.) Obs. The tegument of these plants is a true cuticle, formed of condensed cellular structure, and bearing stomata. The tubular vessels are variable; in general, both spiral tubes and simple ducts are present in the Ferns the former are less abundant than in the other orders; in some cases the spiral vessels are absent, or at least have not been observed; and perhaps even the common ducts may be occasionally obsolete, as in the Lemnaceæ, Salviniaceæ, &c.

CLASS IV. FILICES OR FILICARES: FERNS, &c.

(4971.) SYN. FILICES Vel HERBE CAPILLARES, et CAPILLARIBUS AFFINES, et pars MUSCORUM, Ray. FILICES, Lin. and Juss. ENDOGENE CRYPTOGAME, De Cand. Part of PSEUDO-COTYLEDONEA, Agardh.

GEN. RULE. Cryptogamic Termaffines, or flowerless tubivascular plants, the stems being endogenous, heterogeneous, and unstratified, the branches vel foliage furnished with a ligneous skeleton, the venation variable, chiefly dichotonous, and the cuticle provided with stomata.

(4972.) EXCEPTIONS. Tubular vessels have not hitherto been observed in the Salviniacea, nor in Pilularia of the Marsiliacea; but stomata are present.

Obs. Ferns are generally considered as branchless plants, the main trunk of the arborescent species being called the stipes, and its leaflike processes or fronds denominated leaves; the stalk of each frond in the herbaceous species is likewise often, but improperly termed stipes also; whereas the true stipes or stem is either subterranean or abortive. The fronds are therefore neither leaves nor stems, but branches, the divisions of which are for the most part, but not always, foliaceous; and, instead of the leaves being truly dorsiferous, the fruit is borne on its own proper peduncles, which are however, in general, expanded and foliaceous. The above observation refers to the Filices veræ or Pteridales alone. In one of the other orders the branches are wholly leafless; and in the other, normal leaves are developed, and the fruit is axillary.

CLASS V. GRAMINA OR GRAMINARES: GRASSES and
Grassy Plants.

(4973.) SYN. FRUMENTA, GRAMINA, et GRAMINIFOLIE, Ray. GRAMINA et CALAMARIE, Lin. GRAMINEE et CYPEROIDE, Juss. Part of ENDOGENÆ PHANEROGAME, or MONOCOTYLEDONEÆ, De Cand. ENDOGENE GLUMACEE, Lind. Part of CRYPTOCOLY DONEE, Agardh. ENDORHIZEA GLUMACEE, Rich.

(4974.) GEN. RULE. Glumose flowering Termaffines, or monocotyledonous endogenæ, with flowers invested by glumes or setæ, and the venation of the foliage linear.

EXCEPTIONS. Sometimes two seed-lobes or cotyledons occur, as in wheat, but then they are alternate, not opposite to each other, and the secondary one is small.

(4975.) Obs. In the herbaceous grasses and sedges, the true stem is in general subterranean, and either creeping to a great extent, sending up branches or culms at intervals, or contracted, and forming a tuft, which has much similitude to a bulb. The true culm is therefore like the frond, rather to be considered a branch than a stem.

CLASS VI. PALMARES: PALMS, and their Allies.

(4976.) SYN. ARBORES ARUNDINACEA, HERBE BULBOSE et BULBOSIS AFFINES, Ray. PALME et LILIA, Lin. Part of MONOCOTYLEDONES, Juss. Part of ENDORHIZEE, Richard. ENDOGENE PETALOIDEÆ, De Cand., &c. Part of ENDOGENE CRYPTOCOTYLEDONEÆ, Agardh.

(4977.) GEN. RULE. Non-glumose flowering Termaffines; or monocotyledonous endogenæ, with the flowers either naked or invested by a distinct perianth, which is often petaloid.

(4978.) EXCEPTIONS. In some plants, as in Lemna, tubular vessels have not been observed; and in others, as some of the Aroideæ, the points of germination are indeterminate.

(4979.) Obs. The stems of the Palmares are in general unbranched, only a single bud being usually developed. They are either abortive, as in the bulbiferous species, or columnar, as in the Palms. Two or more buds are however sometimes developed, as in the garlic, and the stem becomes occasionally branched, as in the rhizoma of the iris, the asparagus, the doum palm, &c. The venation of the leaves is also for the most part simply linear; but in the Smilaceæ, Dioscoreaceæ, and Callaceæ, it is retiform: the leaves likewise, which are almost universally without articulation, are distinctly articulated with the stem, in many of the Orchidinæ.

(4980.) SYN. DICOTYLEDONES, Ray, Lin. and Juss. EXORHIZEE and SYNORHIZEA, Rich. EXOGENE OF DICOTYLEDONEA, De Cand., &c. PHANEROCOTYLEDONEA OF SEMINIFERA, Agardh. VEG. DICOTYLEDONEA GYMNOBLASTA, and part of CHALMYDOBLASTA, Bart.

(4984.) GEN. RULE.

lular) flowering plants.

Exogenous, stratified, tubivascular (rarely subcel

(4982.) Obs. The cotyledons are two or more, verticillate, very seldom absent. The radicle naked, and the parts of the flower have in general a quinary disposition. Bark wood and pith are almost without exception distinctly stratified; in perennial species the newer layers being deposited without the older wood, and within the older bark. The form of the stem is in general conical, and branched; rarely, as in Papaya, cylindrical and unbranched.

(4983) EXCEPTIONS. Sometimes the strata are indistinct; occasionally the tubular vessels are few, or almost absent; not unfrequently the seed-lobes are conferruminate, or undistinguishable from each other; and examples are not wanting, although rare, in which they are altogether obsolete.

CLASS VII. PINARES OR ZAPINI: PINES and CYCASES.

(4984.) SYN. ARBORES APETALE CONIFERE (part of) Ray. CONIFERA, Juss., De Candolle, &c. SYNORHIZA, Richard. PHANEROGAME GYMNOSPERMÆ, Brongniart.

(4985.) GEN. RULE. Tubivascular linearicostate gymnospermons Cresscaffines, or synorhizous exogenæ, with naked seeds, two or more cotyledons, linearicostate leaves, and glanduliferous wood.

CLASS VIII. ROSARES OR EUCARPE.

(4986.) SYN. HERBE et ARBORES, DICOTYLEDONEA (part of), Ray. DrCOTYLEDONES vel PLANTE, Lin. DICOTYLEDONES, Juss. DICOTYLEDONEA vel EXOGENE, De Cand. (Excluding Pinares and Selanthi), EXOGENÆ ANGIOSPERME, vel PHANEROGAME DICOTYLEDONES, Brongn.

(4987.) GEN. RULE. Tubivascular, reticostate, angiospermous Crescaffines, or dicotyledonous exogenæ, with the ovules included in an ovarium, and the leaves with a reticulate costation.

(4988.) EXCEPTIONS. The leaves are occasionally absent; and, when their place is supplied by phyllodia, the costules in these dilated petioles are often more or less parallel. The stems also are sometimes not conical and branched, but simple and branchless, as in Papaya.

(4988.) Obs. Besides the conferruminate cotyledons of the Hippocastanida, and some Myrtacea, which form a pseudo-monocotyledonous embryo, the seed-lobes are undistinguishable in Penca, and absent in Cuscuta. The Peppers, although decidedly exogenous plants, are said to have only a single cotyledon to their seeds, and it has been questioned, but perhaps without sufficient reason, whether the Nymphæaceæ are truly dicotyledons.

CLASS IX. CYTINARES OR SELANTHI: SELWORTS.

(4989.) SYN. RHIZANTHEE, Blume. CYTINEE, Brong. BALA NOPHOREE, Rich. Part of ARISTOLOCHIA, Lind. CYNOMORIÆ, part of URTICEA, Agardh. (4990.) GEN. RULE. Subcellular, leafless, flowering Crescaffines, with a fungoid port, and parasitic habit.

(4991.) Obs. These plants, which have in part been arranged with the Exogene, and part with the Endogenæ, and sometimes even with the Cryptogamic tribes, would seem to have been exceptions and anomalies in every group with which they were associated. segregation was therefore desirable.

Their

ORDERS.
CYTINALES.

(4992.) SYN. CYTINEE, Brong. RHIZANTHEE, Blume.

GEN. RULE. Dicotyledonous selanthi, or subcellular, leafless, flowering fungoid parasites, with parietal placentæ, indefinite ovules, a divided embryo, straight ovule, and the embryo included within the albumen. (4901.)

(4993.) Obs. The parts of the embryo are often scarcely distinguishable; and the spiral vessels are very few in these plants.

(4994.) RAFFLESIACEÆ. RиZANTHEE, Blume. Part of CYTINEE, Auct. GEN. RULE. Ib. The plant being globose, many-sepaled, and the anthers dehiscent by terminal pores. (4914-17.)

(4995.) CYTINACEE. Part of CYTINEE, or ARISTOLOCHIÆ, Auct. GEN. RULE. Ib. The plant subcaulescent, few-sepaled, and the anthers dehiscent by longitudinal chinks. (4915-16.)

CYNOMORIALES.

(4996.) SYN. BALANOPHOREA, Rich. CYNOMORIACEE, Agardh,