MACKENZIE: NoTEes on CAREX 247 
Before taking up the literature on the subject, it is necessary 
to obtain a clear idea of the two species, and this is all the more 
requisite because there are certain distinctions between them, not 
always emphasized, which help materially to clear up the difficulty. 
The first of the species referred to is a tall slender plant 
strongly reddened at base, generally 4—7 dm. high with the culms 
much exceeding the leaves. The uppermost stem leaf is usually 
inserted 2-3 dm. below the spikes, but occasionally at a less 
distance. The lowest bract is leaflet-like,o.5—2 mm. wide, and 
somewhat exceeding the spikes. The spikes themselves are two 
to four in number, linear-cylindric, 12-35 mm. long, and 2.5—4 
mm. wide. The perigynia are oblong-elliptic, round-tapering at 
apex, and generally strongly costate. This last character is, how- 
ever, variable and the ribs at times are even less prominent than in 
the other plant. The perigynia too, especially towards the base 
of the terminal spike, are apt to become broadly obovoid and 
rounded at apex. 
The second plant: is also slender but much lower (2-5 dm. 
high). The reddening at base is rarely much developed, and the 
culms are exceeded by the leaves. The uppermost stem-leaf is 
usually inserted 3 cm. below the spikes, but occasionally as much 
as 12cm. The lowest bract is very narrow (0.5 mm. wide) and 
about twice exceeds the uppermost spike. The spikes are oblong- 
cylindric, 5-20 mm. long and 3-5 mm. wide. The perigynia are 
broadly obovoid, rounded at apex and from little to markedly 
costate. 
These two plants are perfectly distinct and I have been able to 
discover little warrant for the statement that there are ‘‘ numerous 
transitional specimens.’”’ Undeveloped specimens are at times hard 
to place but this is true in all groups of critical species. 
Following Professor Bailey, the second plant above described 
has of late years been treated as Carex virescens. His treatment 
was based on the fact that in studying the types of Carex in Euro- 
pean herbaria he had occasion to look up the plant under discus- 
sion in the Willdenow herbarium. He says of the specimen found 
there : ‘a slender and short-spiked form. C. ¢riceps var. hirsuta 
Bailey is also on the same sheet, but the description applies to C. 
virescens’ (Mem. Torrey Club 1: 60, also 76, 77, and 78). In 
