482 HEP A TIC.E. 



pyriform or obtusely conical, perforated at the apex, 1 -fruited. 

 Calyptra crowned with a deciduous style, closely investing the 

 globose, indehiscent capsule. Spores globose, inuriculate, remain- 

 ing in a coccus. No elaters. Antheridia in folliculose bodies on 

 the surface of separate fronds. 



Sphsgrocarpus terrestris, Jficlt. 



Sphcerocarjms terrestris, Mich. Nov. pi. gen. p. 4, t. ;) {ll'l'd) ; Dill. Hist. muse. 



p. 53G, t. 78, f. 17 (1741); Smith, Eng. Bot. t. 297 (1790). 

 Targionia Sj^hcerocarpus, Dicks. PI. crypt. Brit. fasc. 1, p. 8 (1785). 

 Spha'rocarjms Jlichelii, Bell. Act. Taur. v. 2.j8 (1702) ; Cooke, Brit. Hep. f. 195 



(1868). 

 Sphcerocarjms Sphm-ocarjms (Dicks.), Howe, Hep. k, Anthoc. Calif, p. (iO (189!)). 



Dioicous, closely cjcspitose, small, pale green in colour, some- 

 what glaucous. Fronds flat, orbicular, midrib 2 to 3 cells thick, 

 indistinct, graduall}' disappearing towards the thin membranaceous 

 margin, which is slightl}' and variously lobed, lobes short and 

 rounded, concealed by the aggregated inflated perianths ; texture 

 thin, reticulated; radiculose, rootlets long, single, hyaline, papillose 

 within. Perianths aggregated on the frond, sessile, obovate or 

 pyriform, when young longish or elliptical, variable in size, apex 

 obtuse or sub-truncate, when 3'oung closed, afterwards opened, 

 mouth small, rounded, texture semi-transparent, regularly 

 4-6-sicIed cells. Pistillidia 2-5, oblong. Calyptra very delicate, 

 bistratose at the base, at the apex unistratose, crowned with a 

 deciduous style, closely investing the capsule, and on its maturity 

 disappearing. Capsule globose, included in the perianth, inde- 

 hiscent, bursting irregularly, composed of a single laj^er of cells. 

 Spores greenish-blaclv, angular, muriculate. No elaters. Antheridia 

 spherical, shortly pedicellate, situated on the surface of separate 

 fronds which are smaller than the others. Gemmiparous, gemmae 

 dispersed on the frond, dark coloured, globose, elliptical or oval. 



Annual. 



DiAirNsioNs. — Thallus 'G mm. to 1'3 mm. diam, ; perianth 

 1"5 mm. io 2*5 mm. long. 



Hab. — On the ground, especially clover fields. Very rare. 



