74 



MOSSES AND FERNS 



CHAP. 



JungermanniacecB Anacrogynce 



The simplest form belonging here is Sphcerocarpus, a plant 

 that shows certain affinities with the Ricciaceee, but on the whole 

 seems to be more properly placed at the bottom of the series 

 of the Jungermanniaceae. vS. terrestris is a small plant growing 

 upon the earth, usually in crowded patches, where, if abundant, 



c $ 



Fig. 28. — Sj>hcerocarp7is terrestris va7:Califor7iiczis{X\xit.). A, Male plant, X40; (5, antheridia ; B, 

 median section of a similar plant, X 80 ; C, the apex of the same section, X 240 ; h, ventral hair. 



it is conspicuous by the bright green colour of the female 

 plants. The males are very much smaller, often less than a 

 millimetre in diameter, and purplish in colour, so that they are 

 easily overlooked. The thallus is broad and passes from an 

 indefinite broad midrib into lateral wings but one cell in 

 thickness (Fig. 28). The forward margin is occupied by a 



