Handbook of British hepaticæ : containing descriptions and figures of the indigenous species of Marchantia, Jungermannia, Riccia and Anthoceros / by M.C. Cooke.

  • Cooke, M. C. (Mordecai Cubitt), 1825-1914.
Date:
1894
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Handbook of British hepaticæ : containing descriptions and figures of the indigenous species of Marchantia, Jungermannia, Riccia and Anthoceros / by M.C. Cooke. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    OF BRITISH HEPATIOE. INTRODUCTION. The Hepaticae, or Liverworts, have always been regarded as closely related to the Mosses, and in olden times were associated with them. In consti- tuting his alliances Lindley united them in his Muscal Alliance, and this has since been maintained, although there is sufficient distinction between them to be recognized by the naked eye. The most prominent and popular distinctions are that, in the Hepaticae the capsule, or spore-bearing apparatus, splits when mature into four valves ; whereas in the Mosses the capsule remains entire, and is closed by a lid, or operculum, which falls away to permit of the escape of the spores. This is a general character to which on both sides there are some exceptions, since some few of the Hepaticae are devoid of a four-valved capsule, and amongst Mosses the Andreaceae possess a valvular capsule. In another aspect, that of vegetation, a difference is also recognized, in that the Mosses are foliaceous, possessing a stem and leaves, whereas the Hepaticae are most commonly foliaceous, but B