CLASSIFICATION AND SYNOPSIS. 



CHARACE^;, RICHARD. 



FAM. I. NITELIJE, v. Leonhardi. 



Stem and leaves always naked. Leaves in whorls of five to 

 eight (often increased by accessory smaller leaflets), developing 

 two to three nodes bearing leaflets. Leaflets greatly developed ; 

 i -several articulated, often developing a leaf bearing node, which 

 may be several times repeated. 



Sporopliydia, rising directly from the nodes of the leaves, often 

 clustered, with a short stipe (usually), and a proper basilar node. 

 CORONULA, IO-CELLED, small, colorless, sometimes evanescent. 

 Spore capsule without an inner calcareous layer. 



GENUS I. NITELLA, Ag. 



Leaves with 2-several segments, but only one leaflet-forming 

 node. Leaflets, either similar to the continuation of the primary 

 ray and not again divided, or developing leaflet-bearing nodes 

 and overtopping the primary ray, when they are either simple 

 or repeatedly forked with numerous tips, the latter i-many seg- 

 mented. ANTHERIDIA APICAL, on the primary ray and secondary 

 divisions of the leaf, separated from the leaflet-bearing node only by 

 a low, disk-shaped stipe cell, hence appearing in the fork. Sporo- 

 phydia, lateral on the nodes of the leaf, single or clustered ; in 

 monoecious species, just below the Antheridium. 



NOTE TO THE SYNOPSIS. This key to the species was prepared by 

 Dr. O. Nordstedt, and is translated, with his permission. A few al- 

 terations have been made by Dr. Nordstedt, to include his recent 

 discoveries down to September, 1887, and by the translator to include 

 the new American species. The synopsis of the genus Tolypella has 



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