80 University of California Puhlications in Botany [Vol. 6 



of years, but was brought to the attention of algologists by J. G. 

 Agardh (1851, p. 420) who clearly defined it and established its 

 prior right over the two genera, Ginnania of ]\lontagne and Myelomium 

 of Kuetzing. The genera Endymonema and Schestedtia of Schousboe 

 were probably never published except as synonyms (of. Bornet, 1892, 

 p. 265). 



The genus Ginnania was apparently suggested as a genus but not 

 named by Lamouroux (1813, p. 45), but was published by ]\Iontagne 

 (1840. p. 162) to receive the plant of the Atlantic Coast of southern 

 Europe and of northern Africa. The name has been spelled in all 

 the various ways possible, e.g., Ginannia Montague (1842, p. 257, 

 1844-46, p. 60, and 1856, p. 436), Ginmnnia J. G. Agardh (1876, p. 

 510) and the correct spelling. Ginnania Montague (1840, p. 162) and 

 Kuetzing (1866, p. 24). Montague held to his own name even after 

 J. G. Agardh brought forward Scinaia and (1856. p. 436) explains his 

 reasons in the sentence: "non qui modo nominat, sed qui characterem 

 enucleat, is verus generis fundator existimari debet." It is certainly 

 true that Bivona gave no diagnosis or discussion of Scinaia as a genus. 

 Ginannia and Ginnania have each been proposed once or twice, also, 

 for genera of flowering plants, but in every case have been relegated 

 to the categories of synonyms so far as the writer has been able to 

 determine. 



The third genus, Myelomium, was proposed by Kuetzing (1843, 

 p. 393), who seemed unaware of the existence of either Scinaia or 

 Ginnania, although he includes as a species Myelomium undulatum, 

 citing as a synonym Halymenia undulata J. Ag., but without citing 

 any definite reference. This species had been described by Montague 

 in 1842 (p. 257) without any synonym but, from ^Montague's state- 

 ment in connection with his description (loc. cit.) and the references 

 of Kuetzing (1843, p. 393) and of J. G. Agardh (1851, p. 422), it 

 seems a proper inference that the specific name was first applied, 

 though not published, by J. G. Agardh. 



The type of the genus Scinaia is the Viva furcellata of Dawson 

 Turner (1801, p. 301), variously referred as may be seen from the 

 synonymy quoted later. The type locality is Sheringham, in Norfolk 

 on the eastern shore of England, i.e., on the North Sea. It has been 

 customary to refer all slender and even broader specimens of Scinaia 

 to this species, until its recorded distribution is practically world-wide. 

 Even certain constricted forms have been referred to this .species, e.g., 

 Scinaia furcellata var, suhcostata J. Ag. (1851, p. 422). Montague 



