244 HANDBOOK OF BRITISH HEPATIC^E. 



stem, but larger, at first connivent, then reflexed. 

 Perianth absent. Calyptra linear oblong. Pedicel 

 I inch long. Capsule pale brown, opening by two 

 or four valves, frequently held together by the 

 elaters. Spores roundish or angular, reticulate, 

 reddish brown. Antheridia globose, golden yellow, 

 five or six together in the axils of the upper leaves 

 of the male plant. 



GENUS 34. FOSSOMBRONIA, Raddi. 



Involucre scale-like, more or less coalescing 

 with the colesule. Perianth campanulate, 

 lobed, mouth funnel-shaped. Capsule uni- 

 valvular, globose, with four teeth, dehiscing 

 irregularly. Elaters geminate, naked, decidu- 

 ous. Plants small, mostly destitute of a true 

 stem. Jung. Etrusc. (1820), p. 40. 



Fossombronia pusilla, L., Dum. 



Either detached or in tufts or patches. 

 Stems prostrate, unbranched. Leaves closely 

 set in two opposite rows, squarish, crisp or 

 waved, extremity notched. Perianth large, 

 campanulate, border lobed and waved. 



Jungermannia pusilla, Linn. Sp. 1603 ; 

 Hook. Br. Jung. 1.69; Eng. Bot. t. 1775. 

 Fossombronia pusilla, Dum. Rev. Jung. p. 1 1 ; 

 Gott. and Rab. Exs. No. 8, 122, 488 ; Cooke 

 Hep. f. 164. 



