270 Rhodora [DECEMBER 
species from Grand Marais, Minnesota (Holzinger), but this record 
proves incorrect, the specimens in question representing a large form 
of H. scutatus (Web. f. & Mohr) Spruce. In 1906! he reported a 
new station for the plant from British Columbia, namely: Comox, 
Vancouver Island (J. Macoun). These scanty records seem to ex- 
haust the list, and it will be seen that the stations from Greenland, 
Labrador, and New Hampshire are the only ones definitely known 
from eastern North America. 
The genus Harpanthus, according to our present knowledge, is 
composed of only two species, H. Flotowianus and H. scutatus, the 
latter being widely distributed in northern regions and reaching a 
much lower latitude than H. Flotowianus. The genus is characterized 
by succubous, bifid leaves; large, lanceolate underleaves, usually 
undivided although sometimes sparingly toothed; ventral, inter- 
calary branches, those bearing the sexual organs being very short; 
a rudimentary, erect perigynium, the sporophyte being partially 
imbedded in the swollen tip of the female branch; small involucral 
leaves and a short perianth, terete in the lower part. In H. scutatus 
the ventral position of the branches seems to be constant; in H. 
Flotowianus an occasional lateral branch of the Frullania type is 
produced.? In its general habit the genus bears a strong resemblance 
to Lophocolea and Chiloscyphus. Its systematic position is inter- 
mediate between Heteroscyphus and Geocalyz, both of which have 
bifid succubous leaves and short sexual branches, ventral in position. 
In Heteroscyphus, however, there is a well-developed perianth and no 
perigynium (just as in Lophocolea and Chiloscyphus), whereas in 
Geocalyx there is no perianth and a well-developed perigynium. 
Sporophytes are rare in H. Flotowianus, but it is usually not diffi- 
cult to determine sterile material. The conspicuous lanceolate 
underleaves at once indicate the genus Harpanthus, while the some- 
what larger size and the blunt lobes of the leaves will serve to separate 
it from H. scutatus. The leaves, to be sure, are subject to considerable 
variation. The apical sinus, although usually distinct, is sometimes 
scarcely apparent, while the lobes vary from rounded to more or less 
acute. Even if acute lobes are present, however, they are in the 
minority, while the lobes of the leaves in H. scutatus seem to be con- 
stantly acute. The latter species is further distinguished by the fact 
1 Postelsia 1906: 225. 
2 See Evans, Ann. Bot. 26: 12. f.15. 1912. 
