410 NOTES ON BRITISH CHARACE^. 



spine-cells are more or less fasciculate, instead of solitary, or 

 occasionally geminate, as in the normal forms, we have come to 

 the conclusion that the forms with fasciculate spine-cells may 

 with advantage be grouped together under a new subspecies, as 

 follows : — 



Subspecies desmacantha, nobis. — Stem usually considerably 

 thicker than in the type ; cortex very imperfectly triplostichous, 

 the secondary cells joining obliquely ; cortical nodes more numerous, 

 14-18 to an internode of the stem ; spine-cells usually in groups of 

 3-5. Tab. 391. 



We have been unable to find among the many varietal and 

 specific names which have been given to forms of C. aspera one 

 applicable to our subspecies. In addition to the character afforded 

 by the fascicled spine-cells, there seems to be a marked difference 

 in the number of the cortical nodes, the type of C. aspera having 

 usually 10-12 to an internode, while the present plant has usually 

 14-18. It should be explained that in arriving at these figures we 

 have added the number of cortical nodes in an ascending series to 

 that in the descending series most nearly opposite to it. Among 

 the aspera forms which we have recently examined, we find specimens 

 referable to this subspecies from Cornwall W., Hayle Kembra, J. G. ; 

 Norfolk E., Lopham Fen, and Norfolk W., Langmere, G. R. Bid- 

 lock Webster ; Cambridge, Burwell Fen, A. Bennett; Anglesey, J. E. 

 Griffith; and Yorks S.E., Bromfleet, T. Birks, jnn. ; and from 

 Ireland, where it seems to be the prevalent form, from the following 

 counties : — Queen's Co., Kildare, Dublin (the form we referred to 

 var. capillata), Meath, Galway E., Tipperary N., King's Co., West- 

 meath. Mayo E., Sligo, Eoscommon, and Down. We also have 

 specimens from several localities in the S. of Sweden, Nordstedt S 

 Wahlstedt; and from Bavaria, Leonhardi, Braun E. & S. Exsicc. 

 No. 116, var. curta. No doubt the examination of a larger number 

 of specimens will show a much more extended distribution. 



C. POLYACANTHA, Brauu, E. & S. — Norfolk W., Garboldisham, 

 1897, G. R. Bullock Webster; Meath, Oldcastle, 1896, R.Ll. Praeger. 



C. contraria, Kuetz. — Suffolk E., near Southwold, 1896, E. 8. 

 d C. E. Salmon; Mid Ebudes, Tiree, 1896, S.M.Macvicar; Meath, 

 Oldcastle, 1896, R. LI. Praeger; King's Co., Edenderry, 1896, 

 R. LI. Praeger; Eoscommon, E. Suck, 1896, D. McArdle d R. LI. 

 Praeger; Cavan, L. Sheelin, 1896, R. LI. Praeger; Donegal, near 

 Mulroy Mouth, 1898, H. C. Hart. 



Var. HispiDULA. — Westmeath, L. Owel, 1895, H. C. Levinge. 



C. mspiDA, L.— Norfolk W., 1897, G. R. Bullock Webster; Lin- 

 coln N., 1894, Mason S Peacock; Cantire (I. of Gigha), 1898, 

 A. SomerviUe; Mid Ebudes (Coll and Tiree), 1896-7, S. M. Macvicar; 

 Orkney, 1898, A. SomerviUe; Tipperary S. (1897) and Meath (1896), 

 R. LI. Praeger; Donegal, 1898, H. 0. Hart. 



Var. RUDis. — Tipperary S., Cloumel, 1897, R. LI. Praeger; 

 Queen's Co., Portarlington, 1896, R.Ll. Praeger; Meath, Oldcastle, 

 1896, R. LI. Praeger; Kildare, Kilcock and Maynooth, 1896, R. H. 



