54 The Ottawa Naturalist. [June-July 



V. palmata var. cucullata. This fact, and the number of the 

 species into which this group was subsequently divided, is 

 explained in an article published by Mr. Macoun in a former 

 number of The Ottawa Naturalist.* 



In connection with this discussion the interesting fact was 

 brought out that practically all of the forms, first separated in 

 the field by Mr. Macoun and described by Dr. Edward L. Greene, 

 of Washington, D.C., have proven to be quite worthy of the 

 species-rank given them by Dr. Greene. 



Dr. Malte defined the different groups of violets as found 

 in the vicinity of Ottawa and illustrated, by means of the 

 specimens mentioned, the differences which are to be found 

 between these groups. It was explained that the violets in this 

 group belong all species with leafy stems and which produce 

 flowers in the axils of the leaves. Under the second group are 

 placed all species, the flowers of which are borne on peduncles 

 produced directly from rootstocks (acaulescent violets). 



From the first group two sub-divisions can be separated, 

 one of which has entire stipules and the other fringed stipules and 

 blue or violet flowers. In the first sub-division three well-defined 

 species are found, namely, 1". pubescens Ait, V. scabriuscula 

 Schwein and V. canadensis L. To the second of these sub- 

 divisions the following four species belong, namely, V. labradorica 

 Schrank, 1". conspersa Rchb., 1'. rostrata Pursh and 1'. leucopetala 

 Greene. 



Regarding the latter species the opinion was expressed that 

 it might possibly better be regarded as an albino form of V. 

 conspersa than a species proper. 



Under the second main group of violets, namely, the 

 acaulescent or stemless forms, two divisions are made. Under 

 one division are placed all stemless violets having a fleshy and 

 thickened rootstock without runners, while in the second 

 division are placed those species, the rootstocks of which are 

 long ami filiform and generally produce slender runners. 



The following species belonging to the first division of the 

 sUniless violets were demonstrated at the meeting, viz., 

 V. cucullata Ait, V. sororia Willd, V. septentrionalis Greene, 

 V. Macounii Greene, V. venustula Greene and V. Fletcheri Greene. 



Of these only the three first mentioned are recognized as 

 good species in the last edition of Gray's Manual of Botany. 

 V. venustula is considered synonymous to V. afjinis l.et n e 

 However this may be, the plant deseribed by Dr. Greene as 

 V. venustula is a very clearly defined species, flowering two weeks 



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