4 HEPATIC^. 



Bracts, which are either slightly or widely different from the 

 leaves, but usually agreeing with them in cell structure. 



Bracteoles are the floral stipules, and are often a larger 

 modification of the same. 



Perianth. — This is the term used for the inner involucre, 

 which is surrounded by the female bracts. It consists of one 

 or several layers of cells ; in some genera it is absent, or replaced 

 by the 



Calyptra, which is usually a delicate sac enclosed by the 

 perianth. 



Pistillidia, or the female organs, are usually situated at 

 the base and enclosed by the perianth and calyptra; they are 

 oblong in shape and vary considerably in number, one only 

 having been fertilised, developing into the perfect fruit, the others 

 fading away. 



The Capsule is the seed vessel, enclosing the spores and 

 elaters, supported on a long or short, usually very delicate, 

 hyaline pedicel; it is globose or cylindrical, dividing regularly 

 into 4 valves, either to its base or the lower half, or rupturing 

 irregularly. In the Anthoceros it is pod-like, with a rudimentary 

 columella. 



Spores or seeds vary in colour, shape, size, and markings. 



Elaters are spiral threads, enveloped in a hyaline almost 

 invisible sac, and mixed with the spores in the capsule. 



Antheridia, or male organs, are usually oval bodies, with 

 or without a short stipe, imbedded in the fronds or enclosed in 

 modified leaves called bracts. 



Gemm^ are detachable cellular bodies found in some species, 

 which develop into perfect plants. 



Distribution. 



The Hepaticae are generally distributed throughout the 

 British Isles, from the sand fiats and rocks by the sea-shore 

 to the topmost heights of our mountains, and are found in 

 almost every imaginable locality. They are the more abundant 



