230 HEPATICJE. CHAP. III. 



an inner ; the former corresponding in some degree 

 to the calyx, and the latter, which immediately 

 invests the ovary and is surmounted with the style, 

 to the corolla of perfect plants. The ovary, which 

 in some species remains sessile, and in others is 

 elevated on a pedicle, opens when ripe into several 

 longitudinal valves, and discharges the seeds. The 

 above parts and appearances are perhaps best ex- 

 emplified in the genus Jungermannia (PI. VII. 

 Fig. 11.), as being the most extensive of the tribe, 

 of which if a plant is taken and closely inspected 

 even with the naked eye, in an early stage of its 

 growth, there will be seen, besides the general 

 herbage, a number of small oblong and sack-like 

 looking substances, issuing from among the leaflets 

 and assuming a position perpendicular to the sur- 

 face of the frond. These sacks, wljich are the outer 

 envelopes of the flower, if carefully opened up, will 

 be found to contain an oblong or egg-shaped sub- 

 stance, which is the ovary wrapped up in a second 

 envelope that is perforated by the style. 



If this second envelope is now carefully stripped 

 off, the ovary and style will appear accompanied 

 with several succulent substances resembling the 

 succulent and abortive pistils of the Mosses ; and 

 if the ovary is itself opened up it will be found to 

 consist of a greenish and gelatinous mass, inter- 

 spersed with a multitude of minute granules. 



If the flower instead of being thus dissected is 

 allowed to ripen on the plant, the envelopes will, in 

 the progress of fructification, burst open at the top, 



