194 KLKMKNTS <>F STRUCTURAL BOTANY. 



special cells in the archegonia, -and resulting in (he 

 production of spores. 



343. Liverworts. Figs. 244 and 245 are reprc 

 tions of portions of a very common Liverwort, Man- 

 polymorplia. It may be found growing along the borders 

 of marshes and in wet places generally, often with inter- 

 mingled moss. It is of a deep green colour, and usually 



spreads over a consid- 

 erable extent of sur- 

 race. There is no ap- 

 pearance of leaves, the 

 plant-body lying Hat 

 upon the surface upon 

 \vhich it grows, and 

 putting forth root-hairs 

 on the under side. 

 Fig-. 244. From the upper side 



arise peculiar stalked bodies of two sorts, as shown in 

 the figures ; the one consisting of flattened or slightly 

 convex disks, and the other being star-shaped. These 

 stalked bodies contain the reproductive organs. In 

 cavities on the upper surface of the flattened el is; 

 produced the antheridia, from the cells of which are 

 liberated the antherozoids. On the under surface of the 

 rays of the star-shaped bodies are produced clusters of 

 flask-shaped archegonia, each with a germ-cell at its 

 base, and fertilization takes place in the manner already 

 described in the account of the Moss. As a result of 

 fertilization a capsule is developed which produces si 



Fig-. 244. Portion of a Liverwort (Mnrfhnii'ln jt<iliiintirfil,n\ t lio\viny tlir 

 thallus and several stalked disks which bear the anthcridiu ; natut 

 (Thom&) 



