HEPATIC^. 



283 



jimlperina is the only species in "which this occurs among 

 the Hepat'icce. The leaves surrounding the " anthers/' are 

 named perigonial, and vary httle from the others ; while the 

 perichsetial, surrounding the "female flowers," present a 

 considerable diversity. Minute leaf-like bodies, named sti- 

 pules, grow on the under side of the stems, in connection 

 with the proper leaves of various Jungermannia, and afford 

 subsidiary character for species. 



If we now turn our attention to the organs of fructifica- 

 tion, we shall find a still greater diversity between them 

 and those of the Mosses. In the first place, the "male and 

 female flowers," which are frequently associated together in 

 Mosses, are always separate in this family. They are some- 

 times found on the same, and sometimes on different plants, 

 monoecious or dioecious, chiefly the latter in the large genus 

 Jungermannla. 



The "male flowers" — anthers of Hedwig — are generally 

 inconspicuous objects, requiring considerable research to de- 

 tect. They grow from various parts of the stem or frond, 

 and their usual appearance is that of circular bodies, sup- 

 ported on short, pellucid pedicels, which have been compared 

 to the elongated receptacle of Sphngmim. In Marchantia, 

 both male and female flowers are supported on elongated 



