Liiverwort (Marchantia Sp.) 



Material. — Though this plant may frequently be found 

 growing in the grass or on rocks in damp, shady places, 

 especially near springs, or where the water is dripping 

 down a stony embankment, it is most easily obtained at 

 the greenhouses. It grows on the soil in the rose-beds, 

 and the various stages may be found at one time. Good 

 specimens bearing the three kinds of fruiting organs are 

 generally abundant in the fall and in early spring. The 

 male plants with their flat-topped umbrella-shaped stalks 

 usually grow near the female plants, which may be dis- 

 tinguished by the star-shaped tops which the fruiting 

 stalks bear. When a good supply of fruiting specimens 

 is found they should be preserved in alcohol, for fear 

 that fresh ones may not be obtainable when wanted. 

 Both fresh and alcoholic material will be studied. Liv- 

 ing specimens should be removed to the laboratory 

 along with plenty of the earth to which they are at- 

 tached. Place them in flower-pots or dishes filled with 

 loose, damp soil, and cover with a plate of glass or a bell- 

 jar. Do not place the plants where the sun is too hot, 

 as they are very likely to be " scorched " and killed. 



Besides the specimens the student will need the com- 

 pound microscope, hand-lens, razor, forceps, watch-glass, 

 pipette, fifty per cent, glycerine, Schulze's solution, iodine, 

 pith, and dissecting-needles. 



Method of Examination. — Study the plant as it grows 



