CHAP. III. 
HEPATICAE. 
269 
loose spiral fibres (elaters), enclosed in membranous cases, 
among which sporules lie intermixed : when fully ripe, the 
membranous case usually disappears, the spiral fibres, which 
are powerfully hygrometric, uncurl, and the sporules are dis- 
persed. When young, the conceptacle is enclosed in a mem- 
branous bag (epigonium), which it ruptures when it elongates, 
but which it does not carry upwards upon its point, as Mosses 
carry their calyptra. This part, nevertheless, bears the latter 
name. 
Besides the conceptacles of Jungermannia, there are two 
other parts which are thought to be also intended for the 
purpose of reproduction : of these, one consists of spherical 
bodies, scattered over the surface of some parts of the frond, 
and containing a granular substance ; the other is a hollow 
pouch, formed out of the two coats of a flat frond, and pro- 
ducing from its inside, which is the centre of the frond, 
numerous granulated round bodies which are discharged 
through the funnel-shaped apex of the pouch. 
There are also other bodies situated in the axillae of the 
perichaetial leaves, called anthers (spermatocystidia^ antheridia, 
pollinaria^ staminidia), which ‘‘are externally composed of 
an extremely thin, pellucid, diaphanous membrane, within 
they are filled with a fluid, and mixed with a very minute 
granulated substance, generally of an olivaceous or greyish 
colour : this, when the anther has arrived at a state of ma- 
turity, escapes through an irregularly shaped opening, which 
bursts at the extremity.” Von Martius suspects these to 
be analogous to the sporangia of Azolla. 
In Monoclea and Targionia organs nearly analogous to 
those of Jungermannia are formed for reproduction. In 
Targionia the antheridia are represented by M. Montagne as 
being embedded in disks very like the shields of Lichens. 
{Ann. Sc., n. s. ix. 100.) 
In Marchantia the frond is a lobed flat green substance, 
not dividing into leaves and stems, but lying horizontally 
upon the ground, and emitting roots from its under surface. 
The organs of reproduction consist, firstly, of a stalked fungus- 
like receptacle, carrying on its apex a calyptra, and bearing 
sporangia on its under side ; secondly, of a stalked receptacle. 
