<386 HEPATICiE. (liverworts.) 



Suborder III. MABCMANTIACEJE. 



Frondose and terrestrial perennials, furnished beneath with imbricatm" 

 colored scales, and numerous tubular radieels tuberculate within ; recepta- 

 cle raised on a peduncle springing from the apex of the frond (also from 

 the back, in No. 12), capitate or radiate, bearing from the under side pen- 

 dent ealyptrate capsules which open variously, but are not regularly 

 4-valved : elaters with two spiral fibres. 



5. MARC HAN T I A, L. Brook-Liverwort. (Tab. 20.) 



Fertile receptacle radiated. Involucres alternate with the rays, 2-valved, 

 lacerate ; enclosing 3-6 one-fruited 4 - 5-cleft perianths. Calyptra opening at 

 the apex, persistent. Capsule globular, pendulous, exscrtly pedicelled, dehiscing 

 at the apex by several revolute segments. Spores smooth. Elaters long, slen- 

 der, and attenuated at each end. Inflorescence dioecious. Sterile receptacle 

 peduncled, shield-like, lobed or rayed, papillose on the upper surface by the sum- 

 mits of the immersed antheridia. Lentil-shaped gemmae in cup-like receptacles 

 on the back of the frond. Frond expanded, forking, with a broad diffused mid- 

 rib. (Named after Nicholas Murchant, a French botanist.) 



1. M. polymorplaa, L. Fertile receptacle deeply divided in a star-like 

 manner; the rays 8-10, terete. — Shaded and moist places; very common. 

 (Tab. 20.) (Eu.) 



2. M. disjunct:!, Sulliv. (Mem. Amer. Acad. 1. c. p. 63, t. 3.) Fertile 

 receptacle |-eircular, radiately 7-9-lobed; the lobes cuneate, crenulate ou the 

 outer margin ; sterile receptacle digitately lobed : about the size of No. 1 . — ■ 

 Springy places, banks of the Alabama River, near Clairbourne : fruiting in May. 



6. PREISSIA, Nees. (Tab. 20.) 



Fertile receptacle hemispherical, 2-4-lobed, with as many rib-like rays alter- 

 nating with and shorter than the lobes. Involucres attached to tbe under side of 

 the lobes, 1 -3-fruited, opening beneath by an irregular line. Perianth obconic- 

 campanulate, angular, unequally 4-5-lobed. Calyptra persistent, opening ob- 

 liquely. Capsule large, pedicelled, dehiscing by 4 - 5 revolute segments. Spores 

 tuberculate. Elaters short. Inflorescence dioecious, rarely monoecious. An- 

 theridia immersed in a peduncled peltate receptacle. Frond sparingly forked, 

 increasing by joints from the apex. (Named for L. Preiss, a German botanist.) 



1. P. consul lit fata, Nees. Fertile receptacle somewhat angled by the 

 prominent keel-like rays ; capsule conspicuous, dark purple. — Shaded, moist 

 places, Niagara Falls (Carey), Lake Superior (Loring), &c. (Tab. 20.) (Eu.) 



7. DVMOKTIEBA, Nees. Hairy Liverwort. (Tab. 20.) 



Fertile receptacle convex, 2-8-lobed. Involucre 1-fruited, opposite to and 

 connate with the lower surface of the lobes, horizontal, oblong, opening by a 

 vertical slit at the outer extremity. Perianth none. Calyptra obovate, rupturing 



