[Proc. Roy. Spc. Victoria, 31 (N.S.), Part. I., 1918 



Art. ]. — Australasian Characeae, 

 A Synopsis by 



PROFESSOR NORDSTEDT, Ph.D., Lund. 



(Commuuicated by A. D. Hardy, F.L.S.). 

 [Read 14th March. 1918]. 



More than a quarter centuiy has elapsed since Professor Nordstedt 

 published — at Stockholm, in 1888 — *' Fresh Water Algae Collected 

 by Dr. S. Berggren in New Zealand and Australia in 1874-5"; 

 and, at Lund, in 1891, his " Australasian Characeae, Part I." 

 The latter comprised 10 plates, each with a specific diagnosis, of 

 cosmopolitan application, and a description applicable to the Aus- 

 tralasian specimens only. In a short introduction the Author 

 stated : — 



'' Baron Ferd. \on Mueller, who is the Author of several illus- 

 trated works on the Australian Flora, has invited me to issue a 

 similar work dealing with the Characeae. It is with his help that 

 I begin this undertaking, the continuation of which must largely 

 depend upon such circumstances as the receipt of adequate material 

 and the necessary time being available. I hope it may be the 

 means of inducing other botanists in Australia to study these 

 plants, and thus arrive at better results than is now possible." 



The following species Avere figured and described : — 



Nitella partita, Nordst. - - Queensland. 



siihtilissima, Al. Br. - "West Australia. 



leptosoma, Nordst. - - New Zealand. 



tumida, Nordst. - - Soiith Australia. 



tricellularis, Nordst. - New Zealand. 



congesta, (R. Br.) Al. Br. - Tasmania; North and South Coasts, 



Australia. 



Chara Braunii, Gmel. - - Victoria, South Australia, Queens- 



land and N.S.W. 



„ Upiopitys, A. Br. - - Victoria and Tasmania. 

 „ I. sub-sp. suhehracteata, 



Nordst. - - - W.A., Victoria and N.Z. 

 ,, scoparia, (Bauer), Al. Br. 



C.Muelleri,A\.Bv. - Victoria, N.S.W. 



The following synopsis was prepared for private use, but as it 

 may be of use to Australian students. Professor Nordstedt has con- 

 sented to its publication : — 



2 



