328 



HEPATIC^E. 



Sporula brunnea, tunica simplici.* 



Hab. Ad ripas fluminis Burrampootur et Koondil, florens 

 Maio. 



M. assamica. PI. LXIX. A. Fig. II. 



1. Female receptacle. 



2. Section of portion of do. carried between the valves of 

 one of the general involucra. 



3. Capsule and inner involucrum. 



4. Do. with base of inner involucrum. 



5. Cells of the inner wall of the capsule. 



6. Elater. 



7. Sporula. 



M. assamica. PI. LXIX. B. 



1. Female plant natural size. 



2. Receptacle and involucra viewed underneath 3, 4, 5, 6. 

 sections of the receptacle, all carried between the val- 

 ves of the general involucra shewing various degrees of 

 developement. 



7. Fecundated Pistillum in situ: involucra generalia re- 

 moved. 



8. Young pistilla before fecundation. 



9. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, Shew different stages of the inner 

 involucra, and that they are developed without regard to 

 fecundation. 



* In this a succession of sporules is kept up ; not as in Anthoceros, by 

 the progressive developement of those of one theca ; but by that of two 

 or three thecae, which arrive at different periods at maturity. 



The genus agrees with Jungermannia in the stipitation of the secon- 

 dary theca, and differs from all in the presence of a distinct perianth. 



The young pistilla, at least the outer ones, are surrounded here and 

 there with articulate irregular threads, perhaps analogous to paraphyses. 



The perianthia of all, even the abortive pistilla, assume a considerable 

 developement, and these in particular often assume the appeara of a bi- 

 labiate corolla, generally, and especially in the fecundated ones, they ap- 

 pear oblong. 



