336 BOTANICAL GAZETTE | NOVEMBER 
In the species of the next class, the COMMUNES, lobed leaves 
are rare exceptions. The position of the cleistogamous flower- 
ing peduncles is horizontal in the woodland species, and strictly 
erect in those growing in bogs or swamps. The physiological 
reasons for this are not clearly understood ; but it is hoped that 
a series of experiments to be undertaken next season may shed 
light on the matter. 
Viola communis, nom. nov. 
V. obliqua and V.cucullata of recent authors; not of Hill nor of Aiton. 
This, the commonest of our eastern violets, is separable from 
the below-mentioned segregates by the following combination of 
characters: Plant very stout, at flowering time low, but in late 
summer attaining a height of from eight to twelve inches; 
herbage bright dark green: leaves quite glabrous, cordate to 
reniform, more or less cucullate, very regularly crenate and dis- 
tinctly obtuse at apex ; nervation pinnate, with several additional 
primary nerves from base; stipules broad and foliaceous, laci- 
Niate: flowers deep purple, borne on peduncles almost invariably 
shorter than the petioles ; cleistogamous flowers on horizontal 
peduncles, the oblong, scarcely angled capsules ripening on oF 
beneath the surface of the ground.— Inhabits various situations, 
but prefers rich, moist soil in open places. I have emphasized 
these well-known characters in order that they may be borne in 
mind in comparison with the species discussed below, and I shall 
attempt to show that neither the cwcullata of Aiton nor the 
obliqua of Hill can be regarded as identical with this plant unless 
we follow the lead of conservative botanists and continue to treat 
the species as an aggregate. 
VioLa Domestica Bicknell, Britton and Brown, Illust. Fl. 
3° 519. 1898. 
This peculiar violet has frequently been the subject of dis- 
cussion between Dr. Britton, Mr. Bicknell and myself. I had 
concluded to publish it as a variety when I heard that Mr. Bick- 
nell’s specific description was already in type; and it very prob- 
