Asexual Reproduction in Hepaticae. i 29 
plane as the stem and consist for the most part of a single layer of 
cells (Fig. 4, L.). The upper surface of the stem sometimes bears 
here and there scale-like outgrowths, somewhat resembling the 
ventral scales (amphigastria) found in two rows on ^the ventral 
surface. These dorsal outgrowths may be regarded as discoid 
gemmae, as they ultimately become detached and give rise to new 
plants. 1 Gemmae of a different kind and much smaller size are 
produced within flask-shaped receptacles, each of which stands 
Fig. 4. Blasia pusilla. Part of a transverse section,^traversing a gemma- 
receptacle and a Nostoc -cavity ( N.c.); L., leaf; amph ‘amphigastrium or 
ventral scale ; rh., rliizoids. x 60. 
near the growing end of a branch and consists of an ovoid basal 
portion and a long tubular neck. The neck projects forwards and 
ends in a trumpet-shaped mouth ; its wall is from two to four cells 
in thickness. The gemmae are produced on nearly the whole of the 
inner surface of the receptacle (Figs. 3, 4), each gemma consisting 
of an ovoid or spherical mass of cells, about 0-14 mm. in maximum 
diameter, borne on a slender stalk about 0*3 mm. in length when 
the gemma is mature. Between the gemmae there arise numerous 
club-shaped glandular hairs, the mucilage secreted by which swells 
up on absorbing water and is forced out through the long neck of 
the receptacle, carrying with it the gemmae, which have been torn 
from their stalks. 
In Cavicularia densa , an interesting Japanese form, 2 the gemmae 
are borne in crescent-shaped receptacles, resembling those of 
Lunularia. Two kinds of gemmae are produced, either in the 
same or in separate receptacles. Some of the gemmae are lens¬ 
shaped, resembling those of Marchantia and Lunularia in having 
1 Leitgeb, H., Untersuckungen uber die Lebermoose, Heft i, 
1874, p. 64, Taf. 4. 
1 Sckiffher, V., Ueber einige Hepaticae aus Japan. Oesterr. 
botan. Zeitsckrift, 1899, nr. 11; p. 7 of reprint. 
