CRYPTOGAMIA, 
two kinds: 1. Minute round globules, of areddish or orange 
colour, containing fluid, and a mass of minute filaments, and 
composed externally of a number of triangular scales which 
Separate and produce its dehiscence. 2. Nucules, or cap- 
sules, which are axillary, sessile, oval, solitary, spirally twist- 
_ ed or striated, invested by a pellucid membrane, divided 
obscurely at the summit into five segments or lobes, one-cell- 
ed, and containing many minute bodies, supposed to be seeds 
or sporules. The short branches which accompany the nu- 
cule, surrounding it at its base, have been called bracteas. 
___ Exampres.—This order consists of one genus, Chara, and 
_ little is known regarding the nature of its reproductive or- 
_ Sans. Some have considered the nucule as a pistil, and the 
globule asananther. It is chiefly remarkable for the quan- 
_ tity of caleareous matter under its epidermis. The nucules 
_ te often found fossil in chalk, and here called G@yrogonites. 
ORDER V. 
HEPATIC. 
Cuaracters.—This family resembles the Mosses (Musci), 
but is distinguished from them by having spiral filaments 
(elateres) mixed with the sporules, and by the absence of any __ 
-perculum or lid closing the theca, and of the peristome or 
fringe which is found in the Mosses. The reproductive or- 
gans generally consist of capsules and anthers, the former of 
Which dehisce by two or more longitudinal valves. When 
they readily revive by the application of moisture. 
They are minute plants, having a sort of rachis or stem 
from which sessile leaves arise (foliose), or spread out into 
‘broad leafy expansion (frondose), and provided with roots. 
: Exanpies.—Jungermannia, Marchantia, Targionia, : 
