666 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [Oct , 



The yellow and white acaulescent violets in the vicinity of Philadel- 

 phia are referable to five described species, all of which are sharply 

 separated with the exception of the blanda-leconteana group, which will 

 upon further study undoubtedly resolve itself into several well-marked 

 races. In fact, Prof. Greene tells me that the violet here described as 

 V. hlanda is certainly not typical of that species, but as it is not my 

 intention here to propose any new names, I let it stand pending a 

 more exhaustive study of this group. 



The blue-flowered species, as already stated, constitute the most 

 puzzling group of the genus. Apart from the aberrant V. pedata, the 

 species fall naturally into three sections tjq^ified by V. papilio7iacea 

 (Pis. XXXI-XXXII), palmata (PI. XXXIII-XXXV) and fimhriatula 

 (PI. XXXVI-XXXVII), though it must be confessed that V. villosa 

 is practically midway between the first and second groups, and that 

 some forms of V. emarginata recall the V. palmata group. V. selkirki, 

 of the high Alleghanies, stands quite apart with more the habit of the 

 white-flowered species. 



1. Viola rotundifolia Michaux. 



Viola rotundifolia Michaux, 1803, Flora Bor. Amer., II, p. 1.50. 

 Viola clandestina Pursh, 1S14, Flora Am. Sept., I, p. 173. 



Ra7ige. — Mountainous regions extending southward in suitable loca- 

 tions, reaching the valleys of Wissahickon and Crum creeks in Phila- 

 delphia and Delaware counties, where it occurs sparing^, and at one 

 or two points in Montgomery county along the Schuylkill. In New 

 Jersey, according to Dr. Britton's Catalogue, it reaches the lower part 

 of Hunterdon and upper Monmouth counties. In its southernmost 

 stations it usually grows under hemlocks, which are the prevalent 

 trees in the true home of the species in the mountains. 



Habitat. — Damp banks in deep shade. 



Description. — Early flowering plant. Crum crock, Delaware county, 

 Pa., April 13, 1902. No. 2,537, Herb. W. S. Flowers bright yellow, 

 lateral and lower petals with fine dark brown lines, which in the former 

 are confined to the lower edge, and immediately above them is a small 

 patch of white hairs; sepals linear, oblong, obtuse; scape 60 mm. long, 

 almost glabrous. Leaves involute, not yet expanded, and in some 

 instances scarcely visible above the ground, pale green, 25 x 30 mm., 

 crenate, minutely puberulent above, petiole 30 mm., slightly pubescent, 

 or in very young leaves glabrous. Fruiting plant, Crum creek, May 30, 

 1901. No. 1,180, Herb. W. S. Scape 45 mm., capsule 8 mm., segments 

 keeled. Leaves flat on the ground, ovate, the latest ones orbicular, 

 80 x 60 mm., crenate, light green above with minute scattered hairs, 



