139 



been cultivated for some time had not changed its external form, 

 it would most probably be right to consider such a fixed form as 

 a species. Unfortunately I only stayed a short time in the dif- 

 ferent parts of the islands and it was therefore impossible for me 

 to undertake such experiments. 



If we now first consider the specimens we meet with in the 

 more exposed localities behind the coral-reefs, it will appear that 

 these are characterized by being relatively small, but on the other 

 hand rather strongly developed. The erect shoots are often only 

 5 — 6 cm high, but richly ramified with densely-crowded branches, 



Fig. 110. Cmilerpn cupressoides (Vahl) Ag. var. typica Weber- van Bosse. 

 In shallow water. The Laaroon of Christianssted. 



which bear about 3 — 6 (sometimes still more) rows of ramuli. 

 These are present not only on the branches themselves but also 

 often on the main shoot quite down to the rhizome. It is espe- 

 cially forms of the var. mamillosa (Fig. 108) we have here and 

 which are characterized by the short obovate, densely-placed ramuli 

 which cover the erect shoots often down to the rhizome (see Fig. 

 108, cfr. also M^^^ Weber, 1. c, PI. XXVIII, figs. 3, 5 and 6). 



When the ramuli are a little longer and more widely placed, 

 forming commonly 3 or 4 rows, we get forms of the var. typica (Fig. 

 109), which also occur in these localities, perhaps however in places 

 a little more sheltered or in somewhat deeper water. Even small 

 differences in the local conditions of life seem often to give a cor- 

 responding difference in the specimens occurring. On the shores 



