166 Rhodora [SEPTEMBER 
nearly always be demonstrated but are usually much smaller than 
those of N. hyalina, agreeing better with those of: N. obscura (Figs. 
13, 14). The cuticle is usually distinctly striate-verruculose, at any 
rate in the basal part of the leaves. 
The paroicous inflorescence (shown clearly in Fig. 10) will serve to 
distinguish N. obovata from most of its immediate allies. The male 
bracts are not numerous, only two or three pairs being present in 
most instances, and the modifications which they show are less strik- 
ing than in either of the preceding species. They are, however, of the 
same general character, a basal sac being formed by the inflexion of 
the dorsal part, thus giving the appearance of a complicate-bilobed 
leaf. The keel is usually somewhat arched but may be almost 
straight, and the dorsal lobe is usually smaller than the ventral, 
although sometimes approximating it in size. According to Miiller 
each bract encloses two antheridia. 
The perichaetial bracts, which immediately succeed the male bracts, 
usually number three or four, although sometimes only two are present. 
They are not very distinctive, but tend to be larger than the vegeta- 
tive leaves and even more nearly transverse in their attachment, so 
that they often clasp the perianth at the base. The upper part 
usually flares widely and may be somewhat reflexed. The bracts, 
with the possible exception of the most basal one, are borne on the 
perigynium. The latter organ is about as long as the perianth in 
case fertilization has taken place; in the absence of fertilization it 
remains much shorter. The perianth projects slightly beyond the 
bracts and usually begins to narrow from the very base. Throughout 
its entire length it is deeply and irregularly plicate, much as in N. 
hyalina, and the mouth itself is somewhat contracted, although no 
beak is ever formed. If the apical portion of the perianth is carefully 
spread out the mouth is seen to be minutely and irregularly lobulate, 
the individual lobules being more or less crenulate or ciliolate from 
‘projecting cells. Throughout its entire extent the perianth is com- 
posed of somewhat elongated cells, but the elongation is less marked 
than in N. obscura and an isodiametric condition is sometimes ap- 
proached. 
Miiller’s description of the stalk of the capsule is very definite. He 
states that three concentric layers of cells are present, the outermost 
numbering sixteen in cross-section, the second eight and the innermost 
four. In the writer's experience these numbers are inconstant. In a 
