167 
The further one proceeds northwards in the Arctic regions, 
he more imperfect is the development of the fruit, as might 
be expected; Warminc (20, p. 52) cites Vast, according to 
whom the fruit of Empetrum sometimes does not ripen in the 
distriet of Upernivik. Also other notes on the rudimentary 
development of the fruits are to be found in the literature 
dealing with the subject. In connection with this may be 
mentioned the very important information given by ÅNDERSSON 
and Hesserman (2, p. 31) when they write that the fruit of 
Empetrum was never observed in Spitzbergen and that, pre- 
sumably, it is sterile (?) there. Haczund (6, p. 31) says that on 
the stony flats at Vassijaure the fruit often does not ripen. 
Now, the variety (var. purpureum (Rafin.) DC.) described by 
Rarinesave, is it not just such a form, with imperfectly developed 
fruit? In addition to which it has been found only in Labrador, 
New Foundland, and in N. W. Greenland (see Simmons 15, pp. 42 —43). 
The fruit of Empetrum often persists through the winter 
and sometimes preserves an entire skin, and is juicy, etc.; it 
belongs to the ‘‘vinterständare.”! There is no doubt that the 
fruits are largely dispersed by the help of animals; both mammals 
(foxes, lemmings, and doubtless bears) and birds eat them in 
great quantities. Sem Bercer (Svensk botanisk Tidskrift, 1907) 
mentions that ptarmigans and black grouse especially play a 
prominent part in transporting the seeds of Empetrum. The 
old and, in itself, reasonable conjecture of Bucuenav that the 
seeds, in order to be able to germinate properly, must pass 
through an alimentary canal (B. says that of a bird), has not 
yet been verified by experiment. 
1 SERNANDER'S term for plants, upon which the fruits remain throughout 
the winter (Den skandinav. vegetationens spridningsbiologi, p. 353). 
20.—2.—1909. 
