256 HANDBOOK OF BRITISH HEPATIC*. 



between fleshy and membranaceous, thinnest at the 

 margin, which is waved and obtuselylobed, the lobes 

 often incurved (fig. 177). Throughout the centre 

 of the frond, and its divisions, runs an evident and 

 broad nerve, most prominenton the underside, whole 

 plant pale green. Closely adpressed to the nerve on 

 the underside are scattered small, oval scales 

 resembling stipules, which are unequally dentate. 

 Calyx oblong-lanceolate, and acuminate, inflated, 

 semi-transparent. Capsule ovately globose, whitish 

 at the base, the rest pale olive brown. Elaters bi- 

 spiral. 



Sect. B. — Elaters monospiral, acute at each 

 extremity. 



Sub-tribe VIII. METZGERIEyE. 



Plants frondose, pinnately or dichotomously 

 branched ; laciniae linear ; reproductive or- 

 gans of either sex in two rows on the costa 

 in abbreviated branches ; pistillidia two to 

 twenty, without styles. Perianth none. Calyp- 

 tra large, clavate, fleshy, papillose, or hairy. 

 Capsule four-valved. Elaters fixed, mixed 

 with others free, rising in four tufts on the 

 open capsule ; monospiral, attenuated to each 

 end. 



Genus 39. METZGERIA, Raddi. 



Involucre scale-like, of one leaf, bilobate. 

 Perianth none. Calyptra exserted, echinate. 



