The Genus Riccardia in Chile. 123 



papillae are scattered, not only here but over the thickened median 

 portion of the branches. In this species, moreover, the ultimate 

 branches are only 1-1.5 mm. wide. A few differences in the male 

 plants may likewise be noted. In R. eriocaida the male branches 

 are less definite in position than in R. prehensilis. Although they 

 often represent the secondary branches of a primary photosynthe- 

 tic axis they are just as likely to represent tertiary branches, in 

 which case they take their origin at the base of secondary branches. 

 The inflorescence itself is relatively short and strongly curved 

 downward. Its connivent wings, which are composed of large 

 hyaline cells, are unusually wide, being often six to eight cells 

 across. The margins of the wings, in typical cases, show a series 

 of low rounded lobes and an occasional cell may project as a short 

 tooth. In some cases the marginal cells are narrow and elongated 

 in the direction of the edge, but this feature is far from constant. 

 Many of the distinctive characters of R. eriocaida are clearly 

 brought out in Stephani's description (27, p. 671). 



According to the Synopsis Hepaticarum the var. cJiilensis of 

 R. eriocaida is erect and has broader ultimate branches than the 

 typical form of the species, being intermediate between the true 

 R. eriocaida and Ancura fucoidcs. Except for the erect habit 

 these scanty details and the fuller description given by Montagne 

 (18, p. 298) point to R. prehensilis, but unfortunately the type 

 specimen of the variety has not been available for study. In the 

 writer's opinion, however, a specimen collected at Otway Bay by 

 Savatier and referred by Bescherelle and Massalongo to the var. 

 chilcnsis is clearly R. prehensilis and is listed above under that 

 name. This opinion supports the statement made by Schiffner 

 regarding Savatier's specimens (see page 99). It therefore seems 

 justifiable to list his other specimens of var. chilensis under R. 

 prehensilis and to reduce the variety to synonymy, at least 

 provisionally. 



Stephani's Ancura Lindaviana was based on a specimen col- 

 lected by Reiche in southern Chile and communicated by Lindau. 

 According to the description it is distinguished by a robust and 

 subterete axis, covered over whith crowded setulae, and by smooth 

 wingless branches. The type specimen in the Boissier Herbarium, 

 however, shows that the species is a synonym of R. preliensilis. 

 The branches, instead of being smooth and wingless, show the 



