188 FRESH-WATER ALG^ OF THE UNITED STATES. 



Have selected only these six synonyms out of a list of 

 thirty-three by almost as many different authors. It is very 

 evident that the credit of first naming this plant is due to 

 Villars (1789), not to Vaucher, because he in his Histoire des 

 Conferves, 1803, p. 245, quotes Villars as the originator of the 

 name foetida. Most authors, since 1824, to within a few 

 years, call the plant ff.penicillatus, after Agardh. However 

 more expressive this name may be, it has no claim to 

 priority. Dr. O. Kirchner, of Breslau, Prussia, 1878, and Dr. 

 J. Rostafinski, of Cracow, Poland, 1882, have restored the 

 original name. The following are given as varieties : 



a. Yar. PENICILLATUS, Ag. 



Thallus long, three to twelve inches, tubular, simple at 

 base, wider and much branched above. Branches slender 

 and long as the main stem, thickly set with short branchlets 

 of dull green color. 



The most usual form. 



6. Yar. OCCIDENTALS, Harv. 



Thallus very long, one to two feet or more, much branched; 

 branches very irregular, scattered or crowded, worm-like, 

 tapering to a fine point, naked or clothed with feathery, 

 villous ramuli ; cells ellipsoidal or pear-shaped, twice as 

 long as their diameter. 



On the rocky bottom of rivers and streams in a strong 

 current, Santa Fe, New Mexico. 



Forma. CALIDAKIUM, (Wood) Wolle. 



Wood in his Contribution, p. 34, describes Nostoc calida- 

 rium, from Benton Springs, California, developed in a 

 temperature of 100-120 Fahr., growing to a length of over 

 two feet, and looking like bunches of waving hair of the 

 most beautiful green, etc. He saw dried specimens only, 

 and those very limited, and was evidently misled by them. 

 There is no doubt the plant is the same as described by 

 Harvey, but dwelling in warm water. 



c.--Var. IRREGULARIS, Kg., forma CONFUSA, Eab. 



Smaller confluent masses, gelatinous, obsoletely branched ; 

 thin branchlets almost entirely wanting. 



Found it to occur on the margins of turbulent waters, at 

 waterfalls, and margins of rapid mountain streamlets over 

 rocky beds. Appeared more like olive green or brown con- 

 fluent masses than like a filamentous plant. 



d.--Yar. DUCLTJZELII, Ag. 



Thallus 1-3 inches long, slightly branched, but clothed 

 with shorter or longer thin branchlets, the latter often ex- 



