THE rUCACE^ OV JAPAN. 83 



tlmn the diameter. From the middle portion of the stalk a 

 young lateral branch is given oil". In some cases the base of 

 the crown leaflet passes downwards along the longitudinal lines 

 with small wings here and there. 



The young plants of the above described forms attain their 

 maximum size in April, and seem to develop no further during 

 the summer. During that season the larger number of the basal 

 leaves drop ofl', leaving the petioles together with the short 

 lateral ramulets upon them. In the autumn of the same year 

 these short ramulets begin to develop further. They continue to 

 grow until the next spring, ramifying decompoundly and alter- 

 nately pinnately, attaining frequently several feet in length. 



The stems of the ramulets, as well as of the ultimate j)or- 

 tions of the principal branches, are tereto-triquetrous, and much 

 more slender than the middle and upper portions of the stems 

 of the latter. They are more or less twisted. 



The duplicato-serrated leaves, characteristic of the present 

 species, are found in large numbers in those plants which are 

 collected late in winter or early in sj)ring. These leaves mostly 

 appear as the fulcrant leaves of the lateral branches. The leaves 

 in the last mentioned parts, which support the minor ramulets, 

 are much narrower and longer, attenuated in both directions, 

 and mostly shallowly alternately pinnately dentated, with elevated 

 midrib running nearly the entire length of the lamina. The 

 leaves on the ultimate portions of the ramules as well as on the 

 minor ramulets gradually become narrower, with obscure serrature 

 and midrib. 



The vesicles on these plants are elliptical, much smaller 

 than those found in the young forms, measuring 6-8 mm. in 

 length and 4-5 mm. in diameter. Some are coronated with a 



