An introduction to the study of cryptogamous plants. In letters / By Kurt Sprengel ... Translated from the German.

  • Sprengel, Kurt Polycarp Joachim, 1766-1833.
Date:
1807
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An introduction to the study of cryptogamous plants. In letters / By Kurt Sprengel ... Translated from the German. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    posed another definition of cryptogamous plants, but which, I must confess, appears still niore incorrect and deficient in preci- sion. According to him, the cryptogamous are distinguishable froin the ordinary o? phtenogamous plants, by not being für- nished with true anthers, but only with naked and disperscd pollen. The latter' term is meant to denote the fecundating matter itself, while the vvord anther alwava implies a membranous receptacle enclosing that prolific powder, as in the generality of plants. It is, however, incorrect to at- tribute such naked pollen ortly to the plants of the last dass of the Liunean System; for the Asclepiadear are also destitute of an- thers in the above acceptation of the term: their twin-pollen is of a solid nature, and dissolves as soon as brought into contact with the stigma. Besides, it is only in some few genera of the dass Cryptogamia that we are enabled to state with any degree of certainty, which of the visible parts really fulfil the office of fecundation. In PiluJaria,