38 JOURNAL OF THE 
extending over several years, so that I have been able to 
examine growing all the species described except A. 
heterophyllum ochrantium, and A. callifolium. 
Herbarium material, unless carefully prepared and not 
too heavily pressed, is unsatisfactory, and gives only a 
slight idea of the natural shape of the calyx, in which 
lies the chief difference between these species. For the 
coriaceous-leaved species the shape of the prolongation of 
the style beyond the stigma offers good group-characters 
for determining herbarium material. I have found 
scarcely any difference in the seeds; and have been un- 
able to secure capsules for satisfactory examination, so I 
cannot say what characters they offer. Neither the 
roots nor bracts offer any specific character. The leaves 
of all the species of this group are at times spotted with 
white; more frequently this is the case when the plant 
e@rows in the shade. 
The coriaceous-leaved species are southern Appala- 
chian, with the centre of their distribution in the moun- 
tains of North Carolina. One species only, A. art/oliume, 
extends into the coastal plain region of the Atlantic 
States. All the species except A. arz/olium are rather 
local. 
The nomenclature of the Virginicum group presents 
some difficulty as to which species represents the original 
Asarum Virginicum of Linneus. Plukenet’s figure 
(Alm. 55. t. 78. f. 2.) to which Linneus refers might 
represent any species of this group: it poorly figures A. 
macranthum; somewhat better A. mezrvus; and might 
have been intended to represent either A. Memmingeri 
or A. heterophyllum. ‘The Gronovian description does 
not add any information. I have thought it preferable 
to follow the practice of several Kuropean botanists and 
ignore, in such a case of uncertainty, the Linnean name, 
as it represents a group of at least four species rather 
than a single plant. 
I have to thank many friends tor material furnished 
