... 



HEP A TIC^E 



167 



ORDER 5. MARCHANTIACE^E. 



The thallus is flat and ribbon-shaped, and usually branches dicho- 

 tomously from two apical cells ; it is frequently furnished with a well- 



FIG. 149. MarcJtantia polymorpha L. Male 

 plant (natural size). 



- 



FIG. 151. M. polymorpha. Female inflo- 

 rescence (magnified). 



FIG. 150. M. polymorpha. Male inflorescence FIG. 152. Fegatclla conica Cord. Male plant 

 and cupule (magnified). (natural size). 



marked midrib, and is coriaceous in texture. It is composed of three 

 distinct layers of cells, viz.: (i) the air-chamber-layer to which the 



