HEPATIC^. 



Ord. III. HEPATICLE. Juss. Liverworts. 



Fructification generally of two kinds; 1st. Capsules, in an 

 early stage covered with a calyptra, which is tipped with an 

 apparent style, often surrounded by a perianth or calyx, at 

 length bursting the calyptra irregularly and rising on a pedun- 

 cle, and opening at the extremity with 2 or 4, or many valves, 

 destitute of operculum, bearing within numerous seeds, mixed 

 (except in Riccia and perhaps Sphccrocarpus) with spiral fila- 

 ments: 2dly, oblong or mostly rounded and frequently shortly 

 pedunculated reticulated bodies, {Anthers?) containing a very 

 minutely granulated substance, which escapes by an aperture 

 formed at the extremity. — Minute plants, frequently frondose, 

 sometimes, in Jungermannia for instance, leaf-bearing; the leaves 

 often divided, never really nerved. From various parts of the 

 fronds or leaves, gemma? are produced in many instances. Their 

 substance is loosely cellular, in general, easily reviving, after 

 being dried, by the application of moisture. Sometimes the 

 areolae of the cells have an evident pore, as in Marchantia and 

 Targionia, and then the plants, after being once dried, are found 

 to revive very slowly. 



Synopsis of the Genera. 



1. Riccia. Capsule sphaerical, immersed in the frond, imle- 

 hiscent, crowned with a style which alone is protruded 



2. Spieerocarpus. Capsule spherical, surrounded by an 

 ODOVate perianth (?) which is open at the summit. 



3. Antiioi BROS. ('<//>s/tlr pedunculated, linear. L'-valved, 



haying a central columella to which the seeds air attached, and 



arising from a tubular /» riaitth. 



4. Taroi6nia. Common receptacle of the fruit none ; peri- 

 anth globose, terminal, arising from the underside of the frond, 

 2-yalved; capsule globose, included, opening irregularly, and 

 filled with seeds and tpiraljilamente, 



.,. Marchantia. Common receptacle of the fruit peduncu* 

 lated, peltate, bearing beneath shortl) pedicellated P«n<|ent 

 capsules, opening at the extremity with about 8 teeth .and nUed 

 wiih seeds and spiral filaments. Anther* | f I oblong, unbedded in 

 , n ;i , carnose, sessile or pedunculated papillary disk.— Gemma 

 abundant in this genus, on ihe frond, lenticular, contained in 

 variously shaped receptacles, and germinating area whileoo toe 

 parent frond. 



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