The Flora of Disko Island and Adjacent Coast of West Greenland. 129 
may be urged, that 1) this character marks all fruiting specimens seen 
from Greenland, also those growing 4 degrees of latitude south of the 
northern limit of L. groenlandicum; 2) that | did not find it on any 
specimen of L. palustre from unfavourable habitats; and 3) that speci- 
mens of L. groenlandicum, whose genuineness was proved by other 
characters, growing with L. decumbens near the northern limit of L. 
groenlandicum showed no tendencies to such an abrupt hooking of the 
peduncles. 
The morphologically basal part of the capsule-valves of L. palustre 
are distinctly outwardly bent. In L. groenlandicum no such thing is 
seen, the outer surface of the valves being symmetrical. In L. decumbens 
the basal parts of the valves are often outwardly curved, but only very 
slightly or indistinetly. 
The distinguishing characters of the 3 species as found 
by various authors may be summarized as given in the following page. 
The Geographical Distribution. (By M. P. P.) 
The main points of the distribution of the Ledum-species in Green- 
land was already known to Jens VAuL, and have since been elucidated 
by Lance and Rosenvince and | have not much to add. 
! 226. Ledum decumbens (Air.) E. & M. P. PorsiLp 
nov. comb. 
On heath, often on very dry forms of heath, as for instance on 
tertiary sands. Sometimes in not too moist mossy bogs. 
Disko: Common in the gneissic part. Also common in the sandy area on the 
south coast, here almost exclusively forming the heath. Ascending to at least 700 m. 
On basaltic ground covered by old and dense vegetation often common, but not 
occurring in fresh morainic soil. Besides there are, however, rather wide areas of 
the island especially on its northern and western part, where one may walk for miles 
without seeing the plant. (P.). 
Hare ©: Occurring, but searce (P.). 
Mainland: On the basaltic part of Nagssuaq peninsula sporadic like on Disko. 
On the gneissic part from Torssukatak soutwards, however, continually distribu- 
ted and common everywhere. In the southern part of the area commoner on the 
outer coast and on the hills, whilst the more favourable localities in the lowland are 
mostly occupied by the following species. 
According to RoseNvINGE very rare south of 64°, but seen by him 
down to 61°. In the Herb. Haun. we saw no specimens south of 63°. 
The northern limit in West Greenland is still unknown, but is to be 
found somewhere north of 74. Henee a northern type. 
LVIIT. 9 
