526 
this series which have roughened oospores, we find that only 
obtusa Allen has apiculate leaves; the others have acuminate 
leaves. ‘From JV. odtusa the Japanese species is easily distin- 
guished by its small size and small leaves and by its smaller 
oospore with very few striae or ridges. 
Note on Chara sejuncta A. Br. 
By: T.. F. ALLEN, 
Chara sejuncta A. Br. is one of our common plants, but so 
variable that extreme forms might well be taken for distinct spe- 
cies. The stem is at times covered with long spines ; the bracts 
on the nodes of the leaves as long as or longer than the oogonia ; Fi 
the lowest (naked) segment of the leaf (often a distinctive specific 
character) is also variable as to length and size. The size of the 
oospore also, usually the most reliable diagnostic feature of a spe-_ 
cies, varies greatly. Like other species, the stems may be elon- — 
‘gated, slender and diffusely branched, or condensed, stout and» 
simple; of this latter feature no note need be made, but of the 
size of the oospore and of the length of the bracts in relation to_ 
the size of the oogonia, and of the spines to the diameter of the - 
stem, a word is timely. A Mexican form collected recently by 
_ Mr. Pringle gives us spines one-half the diameter of the stem 1 _ 
length, lowest leaf node equaling the stipules, anterior bracts Ong 
half the length of the oogonium, oospore with 12-13 ridges, 535 
long, 300 broad; antheridium 190 in diameter. These measure 
ments are peculiar and hitherto unique. oa 
This summer I have collected in Lake Champlain and Saratog4 
Lake (in both localities), always in company with Chara gymnopus 
elegans A. Br.,a form with oospores 756 long by 480 broad, hav 
ing 11 ridges, the bracts quite unilateral, the anterior one-third . 
one-half the length of the oogonium, the posterior minute and not 
noticed, the naked node as long as the upper row of stipules ; the 
spines of the stem numerous and minute. The plants are shee 
and compact, of a curiously smooth naked appearance, esp eciall 
Lake Saratoga, where they are’ not so encrusted as in Lake‘ 
Plain. This form should be designated as Chara sejuncta 
ma compacta, sub-inermis, microptila, unilateralis ma¢ 
