22 ^'ol. XLIII., Alt. l.-K. Yeiido: 



another case (B) 21°^, and the length of the stipes 22.5^. A 

 single measuring like this does not allow of any general conclu- 

 sion as to the normal reduction by drying of the several species 

 of Alaria, but as generally the descriptions do not state whether 

 the measures refer to living, soaked, or dried material, it never- 

 theless shows, that it is not justifiable to let too small a differ- 

 ence of size (breadth or length) have worth as a character of 

 species, variety, or even of form." Jönsson did not give anything 

 about the midrib. His statement here quoted may be said to apply 

 to the midrib, and in this case probably is of more importance. 



The sporophylls of Alaria are small leaflets distichously 

 arranged on both edges of the stipe. They are always perpendi- 

 cular, i.e., paratropic. They vary in shape according to the species, 

 from narrow linear to moderately broad ovate, ending with a 

 cylindrical petiole at the base. In some species the petiole is 

 sharply defined from the roundish or cordate base of the sporo- 

 phyll and in others gently passing into the cuneate base. Many 

 species have the base of the sporophyll asymmetrical or hemi- 

 phyllous, but towards which direction the base grows broader is 

 not fixed even in an individual. The soft but tenaceous, slender 

 petiole is not stiff enough as to fix the direction. The number of 

 sporophylls on a stipe is also variable. In some species they are 

 comparatively few, in others numerous. A. fistulosa has the largest 

 number and may have several dozens on each side of the stipe 

 (Plate I, fig. 1). 



In the species with a very short stipe, the first sporophyll 

 appears at a point near the holdfast, but in those with a moderate- 

 ly long one, at about the middle of the length. The few early- 



