\Cryp`to*ga"mi*a\ (kr?p`t?-g?"m?-?), n.; pl.
{Cryptogami[ae]} (-?). [NL., fr. Gr. krypto`s hidden, secret
+ ga`mos marriage.] (Bot.)
The series or division of flowerless plants, or those never
having true stamens and pistils, but propagated by spores of
various kinds.
Note: The subdivisions have been variously arranged. The
      following arrangement recognizes four classes: -- I.
      {{Pteridophyta}, or {Vascular Acrogens}.} These include
      Ferns, {Equiseta} or Scouring rushes, {Lycopodiace[ae]}
      or Club mosses, {Selaginelle[ae]}, and several other
      smaller orders. Here belonged also the extinct coal
      plants called {Lepidodendron}, {Sigillaria}, and
      {Calamites}. II. {{Bryophita}, or {Cellular Acrogens}}.
      These include {Musci}, or Mosses, {Hepatic[ae]}, or
      Scale mosses and Liverworts, and possibly
      {Charace[ae]}, the Stoneworts. III. {{Alg[ae]}}, which
      are divided into {Floride[ae]}, the Red Seaweeds, and
      the orders {Dictyote[ae]}, {O["o]spore[ae]},
      {Zo["o]spore[ae]}, {Conjugat[ae]}, {Diatomace[ae]}, and
      {Cryptophyce[ae]}. IV. {{Fungi}}. The molds, mildews,
      mushrooms, puffballs, etc., which are variously grouped
      into several subclasses and many orders. The {Lichenes}
      or Lichens are now considered to be of a mixed nature,
      each plant partly a Fungus and partly an Alga.