PREFACE.
T he object I have bad in view whilst preparing this work has
been to make the study of the British Hepaticae somewhat easier
for the growing number of students who are taking an interest in
this, hitherto, neglected order. Although much has been written
on the structure and arrangement of the genera and species, no
attempt has been made, since the appearance of Sir Wm. J.
Hooker’s “ British Jungermannim” in 1816, to delineate the
various organs of each particular species, without which it is
most difficult to identify those closely related. A very brief
introduction is followed by a full description, with figures of each
species, with their organs magnified.
I have followed the arrangement proposed by the late Dr.
Spruce, to whom I am indebted for the description of most of the
genera.
I have also made free use of the labours of others which I have
or may not have duly acknowledged, but all the species have been
critically examined and studied by me, and as the work has been
great, I trust criticism may be disarmed on this point.
About twenty-five years ago I attended a botanical class
taught by the late Dr. Carrington, and so made the friendship of
one of the most accurate botanists of our time, who then was
bringing out his “ British Hepaticse,” of which only four parts
were issued. I t was then my ambition to assist him, and with
him I had prepared a further part, but it never appeared