OQ 



32 The Jungermannia Section of Liverworts. 



consistence ; and the Frondose, without distinct stems, and some 

 of them with a fleshy foliage, more resembling that of Mar- 

 chantia, or exceedingly diminutive and marvellously delicate 

 cacti, but termed frondose from the perianth arising out of the 

 leaf, thus constituting it a frond. 



Many of the Foliaceas have leafy expansions or stipules 

 attendant on the true leaves, and like them greatly differing in 

 the different species ; hence arises minor subdivisions in their 

 classification. 



First, there are about forty ex stipulates, or whose stems bear 

 no stipules : and these again are arranged in different groups. 



1. Jungermannia Hookeri, Hooherian Jungermannia , has its 

 leaves inserted on all sides of the stem. It is rare, and fruits 

 in spring. 



2. The next group contains about two dozen species which 

 have undivided leaves, with a bifarious setting upon the stems. 

 Of some of these the fruit is unknown, and the rest fruit 

 chiefly in the spring ; but of the third group, those having the 

 leaves emarginato * arid segments equal, 



3. Jungermannia ventricosa, or the tumid Jungermannia , 

 fruits in November. It is found in shady woods and banks, 

 has a prostrate stem, somewhat branched, with patent sub- 

 quadrate leaves, which are plane or inflexed at the anterior 

 base, widely emarginato* -bidentatis, the teeth acute, the sides 

 incurved, remaining unchanged in the dry state, the stem 

 clothed with radicles or villas among the leaves ; fruit terminal, 

 with an oblong inflated perianth, towards the apex contracted, 

 plicate, and toothed. Many varieties of this species are 

 enumerated in the Synopsis Uepaticarum of Lindenberg, 

 differing in size, or in some minor particulars. Of these, 

 variety conferta is densely matted, with more crowded leaves, 

 more or less imbricated, slightly spreading, the anterior mar- 

 gin evidently inflexed, the perianth as well as the stem shorter, 

 and the latter often giving off dorsal innovations. 



Variety gemmipara bears very abundant gemmae on the 

 tips of the upper leaves, where they form little globes or balls, 

 hence by some this variety is called glob uiif era. One variety, 

 minor, is sometimes green, and sometimes of a purple colour. 



Variety laxa, has a long lax stem, with leaves more or less 

 distant, the inferior only patent, placed horizontally or spreading, 

 and of soft texture. Other varieties are named as inhabitants 

 of Europe, but we are not aware that they have as yet been 

 found in the British isles. 



Jungermannia ventricosa, as we have said, may be found in 

 shady woods or on banks on the bare earth ; it may also be 



* Emarginate, having a sharp remarkable curvature passing inwards on the 

 obtuse apex. 



