226 ss GRY¥PTOGAMIA. 
Meprewat Properties.—Marchantia polymorpha was 
considered by the ancients as a specific in liver complaints, 
from which circumstance the order takes its name. 
ORDER VIL 
“< MUSCI.—MOSSES. | 
Cujaxcnillies Madiute plants, aquatic or terrestrial, ha 
ing fibrous or tufted roots; erect or creeping stems, varying 
in length from a line to several feet, simple or branched. 
with minute leaves, always sessile and alternate, and often 
imbricated, cauline (belonging to the stem), or perichaetial : 
(surrounding the fructification, and constituting the calyx or — 
perichetium of Linneus). Reproductive organs consisting 
1. of a seed-vessel (theca, capsule, or urn), sessile or on a 
stalk (seta) enveloped, when young, in a membranous cover- 
ing, divided transversely into two portions, of which the up- 
per (veil or calyptra, like an extinguisher) remains for awhile — 
and the lower forms a permanent sheath (vaginula). The 
_ seed-vessel is generally closed at the top (under the calyptra) 
by a deciduous circular lid (operculum). The mouth (stoma) — 
of the theca is naked, surrounded externally by an elastic — 
ring, or furnished with one or more circular fringes or rows 
of teeth (peristomia), four in number, or some power of 
- four. Theca filled with sporules, surrounding a central axis 
- (Columella). 2. OF axillary, oblong bodies (anthers?) con- — 
_ cealed among the leaves, with short footstalks, “ containing — 
a number of spherical or oval particles, which are emitted on — 
the application of water. re —Lindley. After being dried they — 
readily revive by the application of moisture. ; 
