1916] Evans, — Notes on New England Hepaticae, — XIII 75 



sidering them distinct will be given below. Midler's record for Radtda 

 IAndbergiana was based on specimens accredited to Miss Lorenz. 

 She suspects, however, that there must be some error about them, 

 and the occurrence of this species in North America, where it is surely 

 to be expected, must therefore await further confirmation. According 

 to Midler Scapania gracilis (Lindb.) Kaalaas, which has been twice 

 reported from New England, is restricted to Europe and the Atlantic 

 Islands, the North American specimens which have been referred to 

 this species representing a form of S. nemorosa (L.) Dumort.; S. 

 gracilis, therefore, should no longer be included in our flora. 



Midler's treatment of the genus PoreUa is of especial interest to 

 students in America, where most of the European species are repre- 

 sented. In New England three species, P. pinnata L., P. platyphyUa 

 (L.) Lindb., and P. rimdaris (Nees) Trevis., have been reported. 

 The writer now feels convinced, however, from the study of recent 

 descriptions and a representative collection of specimens, that the 

 true P. platyphyUa is much rarer than supposed, being largely replaced 

 by the closely related P. platypkylloidea (Schwein.) Lindb.; and that 

 P. rimdaris does not occur in eastern North America at all. The 

 specific characters of the New England species are discussed below. 

 It may be noted in this connection that a strong tendency prevails in 

 Europe to supplant the old generic name PoreUa, dating from 1753, 

 by the more recent name Madotheca, dating from 1822. The name 

 PoreUa has been in use on this side of the Atlantic for many years, and 

 Howe l has given excellent and convincing reasons for not giving it up. 

 It is possible, at some future International Botanical Congress, that 

 Madotheca may be placed among the "nomina conservanda". Until 

 such action is taken, however, the writer would recommend that the 

 use of the name PoreUa be maintained although, to avoid confusion, 

 PoreUa and Madotheca are used interchangeably in some of the 

 following discussions. 



As in previous papers of this series additions to local state floras 

 and a census of the New England species will be given at the close. 



1. Scapania Oakesii Aust. Bull. Torrey Club, 3: 10. 1S72. 

 Scapania dentata, e. Oakesii K. Mull. Nova Acta Acad. Caes. Leop.- 

 Carol. Akad.*83: 102. 1905. On rocks and banks, mostly at eleva- 

 tions above 600 m. Maine: Big Alder Gorge near Round Mountain 



i Sec Bull. Torrey Club 24: 512-515. 1897; 25; 90-10:5 1898; Rev. Bryot. 25: "(1-7S. 



1898. 



