Box— Vol. I.] EASTIVOOD— STUDIES FROM THE HERBARIUM. 79 



and on shorter pedicels that elongate but little in age. It 

 forms clumps similar to /. Dougiasiana, but not so widely 

 spreading. 



It is most fitting to name this species in honor of Carl 

 Purdy of Ukiah, since he first detected its identity as a 

 species entirely distinct from /. Douglasiana and called at- 

 tention to its peculiar characteristics. 



Montia rosulata, sp. nov. 



Plate VII, Fig. 3. 



Annual, stems and leaves forming a compact, thick rosette, glaucescent, 

 succulent; radical leaves terete or spatulate, 1-2 cm. long, 2-5 mm. wide; 

 cauHne leaves ovate-lanceolate, amplexicaul, 1-2 cm. long, 4-6 mm. wide; 

 inflorescence almost concealed by the leaves, umbellate at first, becoming 

 racemose, each cluster on a short, thick peduncle, subtended by a single 

 lanceolate bract; flowers small, 3-4 mm. in diameter; petals white, unguicu- 

 late, oblong-obcordate; stamens with purple anthers on short filaments; cap- 

 sule inclosed in the calyx, opening by three valves that become involute and 

 acuminate; seeds three, black, glossy, almost 2 mm. long and i^ mm. wide, 

 minutely papillose, especially near the edge; strophiole white, conspicuous 

 without the lens. 



The seeds ripen rapidly and are shot to a distance of two 

 or three feet by the elasticity of the valves. The empty 

 valves form a 3-pointed star within the calyx. The flowers 

 are ephemeral and the buds do not open in the house. 



This species belongs to the group of which J/, ferfoliata 

 Howell is the most common, and is intermediate between 

 that species and M. saxosa Brandegee. It approaches the 

 latter most closely, from which it differs in longer and nar- 

 rower leaves, smaller flowers, fruits, and seeds, and less 

 succulence and density of foliage. 



The only locality at present known is on Mt. Tamalpais, 

 where it was collected by the writer twice this year, on 

 April nth and 20th. On the trail to the Lone Tree, not far 

 from Rock Spring, there is an outcrop of volcanic rock 

 whitened by long exposure to the elements, and here only 

 these Httle rosettes of flowers and leaves are to be found, 

 scattered around but not abundant, and in a limited area of 

 a few rods. 



