HEPATICJS. (liverworts.) * 695 
the lower , except at the summit of the stem , where they are equal; of thin 
and flaccid texture (green or purple).— Mountainous districts. 
28. PLAGIOCHILA, Nees & Montagne. 
Fructification terminal or lateral. Involucral leaves 2, larger 
than the cauline. Perianth compressed at right angles to the 
plane of the stem; the mouth truncate, entire or ciliate-toothed. 
Pistillidia numerous. Calyptra membranaceous. Capsule 4-valv- 
ed. Elaters with two spiral fibres. Antheridia covered by small 
and ventricose-imbricated perigonial leaves. Stem-leaves succu- 
bous, with the dorsal margin decurrent and reflexed, often turned 
to one side (whence the name, from nXdyios, turned to one side , 
and xiAds, herbage). 
* Amphigastria none: orifice of the perianth toothed-ciliate. 
1. P. spillllldsa, N. & M. Stems creeping, the branches as¬ 
cending ; leaves remote , oblique, spreading, obovate-wedge-shaped ; the 
dorsal margin entire, the ventral and the apex spinulose-toothed; 
perianth lateral. — Banks of rivulets, Alleghany Mountains. 
2. P. asplenioides, N. & M. Leaves someichat imbricated , 
oblique, spreading, rounded-obovate , entire or denticulate; perianth 
terminal. — Grows with No. 1. 
* * Amphigastria fugacious , 2 - 3-cleft. 
3. P. porelloides, Lindenberg. Stems divided ; the branches 
ascending ; leaves rather imbricated , convex-gibbous , rounded-obovate , 
those at and near the summit of the stem repand-denticulate, the oth¬ 
ers entire ; perianth oblong , the mouth denticulate. — Among Mosses, 
at the base of trees in swamps. 
4. P. macrostoma, Sulliv. Stems prostrate , rooting copi¬ 
ously, branched ; branches not ascending ; leaves nearly oval , horizon- 
tal t entire or slightly repand ; perianth broadly obconic , the mouth com¬ 
pressed, margin repand, amphigastria lanceolate, 2-3-cleft.—Moist 
banks and decayed logs, Ohio. 
29. SARCOSCYPHUS, Corda. Sarcoscyphus. 
Fructification terminal. Involucral leaves united nearly to the 
top into an oblong tube. Perianth 4 - 6-toothed, connate except 
the teeth with the interior surface of the involucral leaves. Ca¬ 
lyptra membranaceous. Capsule 4-valved. Elaters with two 
spiral fibres. Antheridia in the saccate base of perigonial leaves. 
Stems erect, producing from their base runner-like rootlets. 
Stem-leaves indefinitely succubous, 2-lobed. Amphigastria none. 
