[Vol. 9 



82 ANNALS OF THE MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN 



In 1882, in a systematic treatment, he considered the North 

 American forms to the number of 15 species with their varieties. 

 The contribution is of exceptional value as an account of the 

 genus and includes an excellent treatment of the history of the 

 genus in this country. 



Almost simultaneously with this work appeared Underwood's 1 

 publication in which he first used the modern form of family 

 termination in Isoetaceae. A lucid account of 14 forms in North 

 America is supplemented with good generalizations on the dis- 

 tribution of forms. 



Within more recent years, there has been no outstanding ad- 

 dition to our systematic knowledge of the family through the 

 activity of European investigators. In America, there has been 

 a material increase in information, especially concerning the 

 representatives on the eastern border, through the work of Dodge 2 

 and Eaton. 3 These authors, as is true of most of their predeces- 

 sors, published less comprehensive studies in various journals. 



In a less technical consideration of the family, Clute 4 has re- 

 cently recognized 21 species in the United States. This repre- 

 sents the latest account of the genus as a whole in America. 

 There have, however, been treatments over more restricted ranges 



manuals and 



of these 



cited in connection with the systematic treatment of the family 

 and therefore reouire no further consideration here. 



Local Names and Economic Uses 



The first popular name recorded for Isoetes is that given by 

 Dillenius in 1741, where "quillwort" and "Merllyn's Grass" are 

 cited. That the former name has survived is well known to us 

 in America, and Clute 5 is authority for the statement that Isoetes 

 lacustris is still called Merlin's grass in northern Europe. 



Linnaeus in 'Skanska Resa' reports that the natives refer to 

 Isoetes as "Brachserk grass." Ascherson and Graebner (Syn. 

 Mitteleur. Fl. 1: 16.3. 1896-98) give the following: "Brachsen- 

 kraut: dan: Brasenurt: poln: Poryblin. bohm. Sedlatka." 



MJnderwood, L. M. Our Native Ferns and Fern Allies, 121. 1882. 



'Dodge, R. Ferns and Fern Allies of New England. 1896. 



"Eaton, A. A. The Genus Isoetes in New England. Fernwort Papers. 1900. 



"Clute, W. N. The Fern Allies, 209-254. 1905. 



"Clute, W. N. Inc. cit. p. 224. 



