43 



varfations from that of CVi. crinita. In the latter species there is d, 

 regular haplostichous cortication. Even the three small bracteoles 

 have a cortex-tube for each, though often irregularly developed in 

 the lowest node of the leaf, the centre bracteole may send a tube to 

 the base of the leaf and the lateral ones be imperfectly developed; 

 or the lateral bracteoles may send down a tube while the central 

 bracteole may be imperfectly developed between them. 



In Ch. evoluta the development is also irregular ; most frequently 

 in the lowest node of the leaf three tubes are sent down, one from 

 the base of the antheridium and one from each lateral bracteole; but 

 the lateral tubes are usually small and often abortive (as in Fig. 5, c) 

 in the upper node. The terminal segment of the leaf is not always 

 two-celled, but sometimes one-celled and not longer than the sur- 

 rounding bracts. 



Chara excelsa, n. sp, — EucJiara^ diplostephafia^ perfecta^ dip- 

 losticha^ monoica. 



Humilis, statura et habitu Ch, contra?'iam aemulans. Caulis 

 aculeolis sparsis armatus, diplostiche corticatus, seriebus cel- 

 lullularum primariis prominulis. Folia verticilli 7-8, plerumque 

 8, articulis 5-6, fructificationem gerentibus 2-3 ; segmento ultimo 

 nudo, bicellulari, saepe elongato ; foliis diplostiche corticatis. Foliola 

 omnium geniculorum evoluta, verticillata sporangio longiora, postica 

 vix breviora. Corona stipularis sursum et deorsum valde sed inequal- 

 iter evoluta. Sporangium i6-i8-striatum, coronula brevi obtusa ; 

 collo sporangii elongato. Nucleus ater, ovalis, 15-16-striatus, striis 



sub-prominulis, 750-800 fJ. longus. 



This plant has the general appearance of C/l evoluta ^^nA crinita, 

 but is less spinescent. The cortex is almost regularly diplostichous, 

 the primary series being much more prominent. Now and then the 

 secondary series of cells extend past each other, and even additional 

 tubes are developed, as in Ch, aspera, so that a section of the stem 

 does not show just twice as many cells as there are leaves in the ver- 

 ticil. The spines of the stem are exceedingly variable m length, 

 sometimes more than double the diameter of the stem, sometimes 

 appearing as simple papillae. I1ie stipules are also very irregular m 

 size, some being more than double the length of others, the longest 

 equalling the lowest node of the leaf. The leaves are regularly cor- 

 ticated in two series, and the terminal, naked segment, even m maturer 

 plants, is often much elongated and two-celled. The bracts are 

 verticillate, much longer than the sporangia, and present the general 

 aspect of those oiCh. crmita d.wA evoiuia. The form of the sporangium 

 is quite peculiar in the elongated neck, with short, round, thick cells a 



the top. 



This species was collected in Canandaigua Lake, in August, 1881. 



C/iara aspera, (Dethard.) W\\\A—Stib4riplosticha, ^/^?Va.—** Usual- 

 ly below medium size and correspondingly slender. Cortex 

 of the stem imcompletely triplostichous, for the cells of the secondary 

 series overlap and unite obliquely ; the primary series often some- 

 what more prominent. (In our American specimens the cortex is 

 extremely irregular, as may be seen by referring to the figures, which 

 are exactly true to nature). Spines single, very varialMe in number 



