Of the genus l'argionia, the anthers can scarcely be said ta.be known. Within the meshes or that very thin, delicate, reticulated membrane, which lines the calyx of the fi uit, Sprengel perceived minute granular bodies, respecting the nature of which he gives no positive opi nion, but seems inclined to take them for anthers. Till they be examined by dissection, and their external cha racters be more accurately ascertained, their true nature must remain altogether problematical ; but, supposing them to be leally the anthers, this genus must be admit ted to exhibit a nearer approach to an united flower, than any other of the Hepatic Mosses.
On the fronds of Anthoreros, and usually near to the female flowers, may he perceived several minute, slightly elevated, greenish yellow spots. These, when examine(' under the mict °scope, are found to contain several ovate corpuscles, situatcd immediately under the cuticle. When these corpuscles have attained a certain size, the cuticle covering them opens, is retracted on every side, and forms an oval margin at a certain distance around them. It would appear, that sometimes a part of the cuticle adheres to these corpuscles, forming a sort of crown to them. The corpuscles of an ovate figure, sur rounded by a pellucid jointed ring, contain a granular matter, and are supported each on a short pellucid stalk. There can be no doubt that these are the anthers of this genus. When the pollen has escaped, they shrivel, and acquire a darker colour.
Amid the projecting points with which the upper sur face of Riecia glauca is studded, shining whitc globules are easily observed. One or two of these being gently removed, and examined in a drop of water under a high power of the microscope, they are found to contain a granular mass. Each is supported on a dark-coloured filament, and instead of the usual pellucid jointed ring, is surrounded with a dark border. These seem to be the stamens of this species. The fructification of the other Riccix, at least of the other British species, is quite un know n.
The stamens of the genera Sphmrocarpus and Mono clea, are altogether unknown.
From the female fructification of the hepatic musci the calyx is rarely absent. Yet instances of this defi ciency, as already stated, are not wanting in the genus Jungermannia, no calyx occurring in J. concinnata, or J. Hookeri. In a few other species, as J. juniperina, J. scalaris, Etc. a sort of calyx is formed by the union of the perichmtial leaves, (or those next the germen.) It is very small in comparison of the calyptra, seldom reaching to half its length. It is usually single ; but
instances of a double calyx occur in J. Lyellii, J. hy bernica, J. phyllanthus, J. flabellata, and J. hymeno phyllum, all frondose species. In most cases it is tu bular, or somewhat ventricose ; the mouth somewhat plicate. Other forms of the calyx, however, are found in species of very common occurrence ; thus in J. epi phylla, multifida, and pinguis, it is cup-shaped ; in J. lurcata like a scale. In J. asplenioides it is somewhat flattened, and, before the capsule escapes, is curved at the apex, and slit down a little on one side. In J. gi gantea it is very much compressed at the mouth. The mouth of the calyx is generally roundish, in many spe cies toothed ; four-clelt in J. sphxrocarpa, ciliate in J. connivens, J. gigantea, Etc. flattened und truncate in J. asplenioides, Etc. In substance it in general lesembies the leaves ; but it is membranaceous in J. Blasia, rather carnose in J. totnentelia and J. coalita ; very cat nose in J. Trichomanis, Etc. Its surface is in general smooth ; but in J. dilatata and falcata it is tuberculated. III situ ation it is either terminal, lateral, on short lateral branches, or on short branches at the base of the shoots. When lateral, it sometimes arises Irani the upper side of the stern, as in J. pusilla ; at other times from the lower side, as in J. sphagni.
all the British species the calyx is inserted on its base, and hence upright, except in J. Trichomanis and J. viti culosa, in which it is attached by the side of the mouth, pendent, and buried in the earth. In J. saccata of New Zealand, the calyx has a similar attachment ; but as it arises from the summits of upright branches, it is never concealed in the earth.
In Marchuntia (at least in the species polymorpha and conica) the calyx is tubular ; and much longer than in the Jungermanniae, only the summit of the style appear ing beyond it, when tire germen begins to enlarge, at which time it becomes flagon-shaped. It is of a vcry delicate membranaceous texture ; the mouth at first nearly entire, but it is said to be divided afterwards in NI. chenopoda, cruciata, and NI. poly morpha, into four segments, and in the other species into a greater number. Its colour is brownish. Besides this proper calyx, M. conica and M. cruciata are furnished with what may perhaps be termed a common one in a cup-shaped pro cess, out of which the peduncle supporting the common receptacle arises.