278 HANDBOOK OF BRITISH HEPATIC^E. 



Bot. t. 287 ; Hook. Br. Fl. V., 101 ; Carr. and 

 Pears. Ex. No. 64. Targionia Michelii, Nees 

 Hep. IV., 299; Cooke Hep. (fig 192.). 



On banks, in moist situations. (Fr. Apr. May.) 



Fronds forming large patches, imbricated, oblong- 

 ovate, plane, between coriaceous and fleshy, margin 

 entire, very deep green, pur- 

 plish at the edges, furnished with 

 numerous oval pores on the 

 upper surface, beneath is the 

 appearance of a midrib, prom- 

 inent, and covered with nu- 

 merous radicles, having on each 

 side many purple, transversely 

 oblong, scales. Immediately be- 

 i 93 . neath the extremity, or under- 



side of the frond, is a solitary 

 perianth, globose, of a purplish-black colour, 

 marked with a vertical prominent line, where 

 it dehisces and becomes two-valved (fig. 193). 

 Within this perianth are at first a few pistillidia, one 

 of which becomes fertile, covered with a calyptra, 

 which latter at length splits irregularly. The 

 spherical capsule is protruded, but never extends 

 beyond the perianth. Fruit-stalk very short. 

 Capsule dark brown, opening with several unequal 

 segments. Elaters bispiral. 



Sub-order 3. R1CCIA CE;E. 



Vegetation frondose. Fruit without valves, 

 for the most part immersed in the frond. 



