MARCHANTIA. 291 



MAECHANTIA, Mich. (Marchantia, or Liverwort.) 



Generic Character. — Common receptacle of the fruit peduncu- 

 lated, peltate, bearing beneath shortly pedicellated pendent cap- 

 sules, opening at the extremity, with about eight teeth, and filled 

 with seeds and spiral filaments, Male fructifications oblong, 

 imbedded in a flat, carnose, sessile, or pedunculated papillary 

 disc. Gemmse on the frond lenticular, contained in various- 

 shaped receptacles, germinating frequently before leaving the 

 parent frond. — Named in honour of Nicholas ]\Iarchant, an emi- 

 nent botanist. 



1. M ARCH ANTi A POLYMORPH A, Liun. {PolpnorpJwKS Mar- 

 chantia.) Eeceptacles of the capsules deeply cut^ in a stel- 

 lated manner, into about ten narrow segments ; that of the 

 anthers pedunculated. — Eug. Fl. jo. 102. 



Moist and shady situations, everywhere common. Pr. 

 July. 



2. Marchai^tia hemisph^rica, Linn. {Hemispherical 

 Marchantia.) Eeceptacles of the capsules hemispherical, 

 cut at the margin into four to ten equal lobes ; that of the 

 anthers pedunclated with a thin margin ; frond ^vith large 

 cells and pores. — Eng, FL 



On sides of millponds, watercourses, and on shady banks, 

 common. Fr. March. 



