THE LIVERWORTS OR HEPATICS 513 
of offspring less important for the welfare of the species than rapid 
and prolific multiplication. 
189. The liverworts or hepatics (Class Hepatice) take 
their name from a fancied resemblance of the broad-lobed 
thallus of certain lower forms to the lobed liver of an animal. 
Fic. 338.—Crystalworts (Riccia spp., Crystalwort Family, Ricciacee). 
A-C, R. Bischoffii; A, B, clumps of the plant growing on mud, (2) 
a, male plant; b, female plant. C, male plant, enlarged, showing the 
male gametangia or antheridia (a). D-H, R. minima. D, plants (2). 
E, fruiting plant enlarged, top view. F, a lobe, side view. G, a fruiting 
lobe, cut vertically through the young “‘fruit’’ or sporophyte, still more 
enlarged. H,spore-groupsand spores. J—M,R.glauca. J, K, plants (2). 
L, M, lobes, enlarged. N, O,-R. ciliata. N, two plants (3). O, lobes, 
enlarged. P-S, R. canaliculata. P, plant (3). Q, fruiting lobes, en- 
larged, top view. FR, same, under side. S, lobe cut vertically through 
the sporophyte. (Bischoff.)—Plants growing in moist places. 
There are about 3,000 species in the group. The most 
primitive liverworts belong to the group known as crystal- 
worts, occurring in all parts of the world and including 
many species. Some of these grow floating on the surface 
of still, fresh water and finally come to lie upon the mud 
when the water subsides in dry seasons. Other forms grow 
