126 H. G. SIMMONS. [sec, arct. exp. pram 



and Vahlii. The former should agree with Wahlhergella affinis, 

 Fries, as specimens in the Herbarium Normale are quoted instead of 

 description, and the latter with Melandrium affine, Vaiil (F1. Dan., T. 

 2173 is quoted). Ruprecht consequently has here qouted the names 

 which Vahl and Fries used for the same plant, and has given a new 

 name for each, thus creating, without cause, two new synonyms. Indeed 

 it may be possible that he has had two different forms in front of him, 

 even if that is not to be seen from his description. 



Lastly, there is the older name of Ghamisso & Schlechtendal 

 referred here, viz. Lychnis apetala y involiicrata. This is given from 

 a single individual of unknown oi'igin (cf. 1. c, p. 43) and the descrip- 

 tion applies as well to a form of M. apetalum. The authors themselves 

 speak of: — "Plures varietates, habitu dissimiles, nullis tamen certis 

 distinctas characleribus" and leave to others "specierum condendarum 

 periculum". Doubtless it would have been better, not to use that name 

 again. 



M. affine generally grows in somewhat dry places with a dense 

 vegetation, such as rock-ledges and slopes, rookeries, and old Eskimo- 

 settlements. It flowered from the beginning of July and fruited richly. 



Occurrence. Grinnell Land, Discovery Harbour (Hart). Hayes 

 Sound region, rather spread, in some places abundant: Beitstad Fjord, 

 Skriiling Island (1367), Cape Viele, Eskimopolis, Lastraea Valley, Fram 

 Harbour (1088), Cocked Hat Island (1272), Bedford Pim Island in several 

 places (278, 441, 1197, 1314). South coast: Fram Fjord (1644); Harbour 

 Fjord, common (1801, 2166, 2325); Mu.skox Fjord; Goose Fjord, in 

 several places (2873, 3505, 3639, 3951). 



Distribution: Northern East and West Greenland, (not found in 

 the Arctic American Archipelago, but probably overlooked), Arctic Ame- 

 rica, Labrador, Western Siberia, Novaja Semlja, Spitsbergen, Finmark. 



Melandrium trifforum, (R. Br.) Vahl. 



This species is recorded both by Hart and Greely from Discovery 

 Harbour, but I have seen no specimens of it from Bellot Island where 

 it should grow according to Hart, only Greenland specimens were seen 

 in the Nat. Hist. Mus. The notes about it, wich Greely, Rep., p. 13. 

 gives, seem also to point to the last species rather than the real M. 

 trifforuni. I therefore think that it must stand as doubtful, the more 

 so as it is nowhere found outside Greenland, and there only north- 

 wards to Foulke Fjord. 



