JOHNSON: A REVISION OF THE SECTION BORAPHILA 17 



in the gland, but differs from that section in being completely hypogynous 

 and in having the carpels united at the base. In foliar characteristics it 

 resembles Saxifraga arguta of the section Hydatica. 



The most conspicuous features of the section are the showy inflorescence 

 and the remarkably elongated and attenuated filaments which at maturity 

 attain a length of over six millimeters. 



Little is known about the distribution of the species representing the 

 section. The specimens examined are all from Alaska, namely a few 

 scattered localities in the lower basin of the Yukon. According to some 

 writers it extends into British Columbia. 



Saxifraga spicata D. Don, Trans. Linn. Soc. 13. 1822. 



Saxifraga Geum Pursh, Fl. Am. Sept. 311. 1814. 



Micranthes spicata (D. Don) Small. N. Am. Fl. 22:2:146. 1905. 



The only mention of this species made by Engler (4) appears in the 

 following words: "S. spicata Don. . . .vero similiter — punctata L." He makes 

 no disposition of it in the sections (Plate V). 



Distribution. — British Columbia to Alaska. 



Specimens examined: 



Alaska : valley of Alatna River, near camp of July 20, about 15 miles above 

 the mouth, July 20, 1901, W. C. Mendenhall (USNH 377353) ; five miles below Fort 

 Hamlim, Yukon Valley, 1902, Arthur J. Collier, No. 153 (USNH 379839); Ca'pe 

 Vancouver, 1891, British Bering Sea Commission collection, Jas. M. Macoun, No. 

 230 (USNH 249381) ; on the Yukon River, between Andreafski and Anvik, July 16-18, 

 1889, /. C. Russell (USNH 417561) ; Fort St. Michaels, Norton Sound, 1865-66, H. M. 

 Bannister (USNH 423413). 



The following annotations from the works of previous writers shed light 

 on the distribution of the species : 



"Alaska to British Columbia." Small, I.e. 



"Sledge Island, N. W. Coast, Mr. Nelson, Behring's Straits, Menzies (v. sp. in 

 herb. Banks)." Torrcy and Gray, Fl. N. Am. 1:567. 1838-40. 



Section Aulaxis, Haw., Saxifr. Enum. 47. 1821 ; as genus. 



Rohertsonia Haw., Syn. PI. Succ. 322. 1812, in part; as genus. 



Hydatica Taiisch, Hort. Canal. Fasc. 1. 1823; in part. 



Micranthes Torrey and Gray, Fl. N. Am. 1 :572. 1838-40; in part. 



Boraphila Engler, "Index Criticus," Verb. Zool.-Bot. Ver., Wien. 19:522. 

 1869. 



Ovary superior; carpels erect, conical, united below the middle, the 

 upper free portion becoming widely spreading at maturity. Gland, a thick 

 fleshy girdle extending up over the carpels nearly to the middle, disappearing 

 with age. Filaments clavate. Sepals reflexed. Seeds elongate, fusiform, 



