9» 



HANDBOOK OF BRITISH HEPATIC^:. 



terior the largest, generally acutely bifid, the ex- 

 terior frequently trifid, the points some- 

 times recurved. Calyx oblong, longi- 

 tudinally plicate, mouth irregularly 

 toothed. Calyptra ovate, whitish. Cap- 

 sule deep brown, longitudinally and 

 transversely furrowed (fig. 72). Elaters 

 bispiral. 



This exceedingly variable species 

 has been met with in Britain under 

 the following forms : — 



Sect. A. — Leaves of the sterile 

 blanches more or less distant. 



var. a vulgaris. Leaves broader than the 

 diameter of the branches, plane, sub- 

 distichous. 



form * major. 



form ** patens. Lacinise of the lower 

 leaves divergent, 

 var. ft rigidula. Leaves equal to the 

 diameter of the branch, rather rigid, 

 concave, spreading, bifid to the middle, 

 the laciniae divergent. 

 Sect B. — Leaves of the sterile branches 

 closely imbricate, hence more or less jula- 

 ceous. 



var. ft curvifolia, Hook. Jung. t. xvi. 



Perianth frequently obovate, or more 



inflated than usual. 



var. y ericetorum, Nees (exclusive of 



/. reclusa). Sterile branches short, 



