THE GREAT GROUPS OF BRYOPHYTES 



309 



203. Marchantia forms. — In this line the simple thallus 

 gradually becomes changed into a very complex one. The 

 thallus retains its simple 

 outlines, but becomes thick 

 and differentiated in tissues 

 (groups of similar cells). 

 The line may be distin- 

 guished, therefore, as one 

 in which the differentia- 

 tion of the tissues of the 

 gametophyte is emphasized 

 (Figs. 280-282). In 3far- 

 chantia proper the thallus 

 becomes very complex, and 

 it may be taken as an illus- 

 tration. 



The thallus is so thick 

 that there are very distinct 

 green dorsal and colorless 



ventral regions (Fig. 283). The latter puts out numerous 

 rhizoids and scales from the single layer of epidermal cells. 

 Above the ventral epidermis are several layers of colorless 



Fig. 280. A very small species of Biccia, 

 one of the Marchantia forms : A, a 

 group of thallus bodies slightly en- 

 larged ; B, section of a thallus, show- 

 ing rhizoids and two sporogonia im- 

 bedded and communicating with the 

 outside by tubular passages in the 

 thallus.— After Stkasburger. 



Fio. 281. liicciocai'pus, a Marchantia form, showing numerous rhizoids from ventral 

 surface, the dichotomous branching, and the position of the sporogonia on the 

 dorsal surface along the " midribs."— Goldberger. 



