THE THALLOSE HEPATICAE OF THE JUAN FERNANDEZ ISLANDS 577 



The relationship between M. multifonnis and the preceding s[)ecies is 

 remarkably close. Both are of about the same size, both are dioicous, both 

 have a costa of the same type, and both are essentially alike in the distribution 

 of their marginal and costal hairs. Both species, moreover, show a tendency 

 toward reversion, although this tendency is even more strongly manifested in 

 M. tmi/tifonnis than in J/. <h'ci/>icns. On the whole the texture of the thallus 

 is more delicate in J/, niii/tifoniiis than in M. dcctf^ieiis, the cell measurements 

 averaging a trifle higher, but this distinction is of relatively slight significance. 

 The most important distinction between the species has to do with gemmae: 

 in M. niiilti/onnis these are usually present and may be fairly abundant; in 

 J/, dccipicfjs gemmae never occur. It is of course difficult to establish the 

 constancy of a negative character, such as the absence of gemmae. The state- 

 ment just made, however, may be assumed to be correct, since it is based on 

 a long series of specimens of M. decipiius from Chile, where M. niiiltifonnis 

 has not yet been found. 



Another gemmiparous species of Mctcgerici, also closely allied to J/, dcii- 

 pit'HSy is J/. cpipJiylla Evans, recently described and figured from material 

 collected in Chile.^ In this species the gemmiparous branches are often highly 

 differentiated, terminating in blunt points with reduced wings and curving away 

 from the substratum. The gemmae often arise very close together and are 

 always small, ecostate bodies, rarely more than four cells across. These features 

 will at once distinguish J/, epiphylla from J/. Dinltifortnis. 



Area of distribution: Endemic. 



*!/. M. violacea (Ach.) Dumort. Recueil d'Obs. sur les Jung. 26 (1835); 

 Evans, Proc. Amer. Acad. 58:306, f. 9 (1923). — Syn Jungennaiuiia violacea 

 Ach.; Weber & Mohr, Beitr. Xaturk. i; 76, pi. i, f. 1—3 (1805). 



On bark of trees and similar substrata. 



Masafuera: Cordon del Barril, on Dniiiys Wiyiteri (no. 57). 



This species has recently been discussed by the writer, so that only its 

 more important features will be alluded to here. The costa in the vegetative 

 thalli is almost constantly bounded both dorsally and ventrally by two rows 

 of cortical cells, the species agreeing in this important respect with M. decipiens 

 and M. uiultifovDiis. It is characterized b}' a bluish or purplish coloration 

 appearing after death in dried herbarium specimens and by an abundant pro- 

 duction of marginal and submarginal gemmae, borne on more or less specialized 

 branches. The latter, if typically developed, curve away from the substratum 

 and are further distinguished by their narrow, wings and by their quickly limited 

 growth. .Most of the Masafuera specimens do not show these extremes of 

 modification, but a few of the gemmiparous branches are typical and indicate 

 that the determination is correct. The coloration is clearly marked in many 

 of the thalli, although the majority scarcely show it. 



Area of distribution: New Zealand; South Chile and the neighboring 

 parts of Argentina; Masafuera. 



' Proc. Amer. Acad. 58 : 505, f. 8 (1923). 



