68 H. G. SIMMONS. [sec. arct. exp. fram 



cence somewhat longer pedicellate than in the type, is spread all over 

 the parts of Ellesmereland visited hy me, but rather sparingly. It was 

 generally found in shady, densely moss-covered places. Lange, 1. c, 

 p. 60, quotes S. pauciflora, Sternberg, 1. c. suppl. I, p. 6 and T. 4, as 

 a synonym of this variety. But according to the description, this should 

 be rather hairy, which points to the type, where also Engler, 1. c, p. 

 145, puts it. But Engler has also, 1. c, p. 147, estabhshed a var. 

 raniosa, which seems according to the description: "Gaulis apicem 

 versus ramosus, ramis multifloris, floribus sessilibus, plus minusve glome- 

 ratis", soonest to comprehend the largest and most flourishing forms of 

 S. nivalis (for instance, specimens n. 1149 from Cape Rutherford). 

 Nevertheless the older name of Wahlenberg is cited as a synonym of 

 this variety, as well as the above-quoted figure in Linnaeus' F1. Lapp. 

 But as this clearly shows a form with unbranched stalk and pedicellate 

 flowers, which moreover is glabrous, and rather small, viz., combines 

 all the characteristics of the variety of Wahlenberg, neither quotation 

 is to be referred to the variety of Engler. 



S. nivalis was generally found in somewhat moist slopes and rock- 

 ledges, the variety with the type or, more often, in shady places. It 

 was most common in the archaean district, less in the hmestone tracts, 

 where, however, it could be especially abundant in rookeries. In flower 

 about the beginning of July and with flowers to the beginning of the 

 winter. Fruited richly. 



Britton & Brown (1. c, II, p. 174) have the following curious 

 note: "Said to flower beneath the snow". Probably this statement is 

 due to flowers from last year, found preserved under the snow, which 

 have been believed to be developed in the spring before the thawing of 

 the snow. 



Occurrence. Grinnell Land, Discovery Harbour (Hart! Greely). 

 Hayes Sound district, common, specimens from: Skrahng Island in 

 Alexandra Fjord (1366), Cape Rutherford (308, 1149, *4220), Fram Har- 

 bour (1087, *285), Cocked Hat Island (1286), Bedford Pim Island (257, 

 *4219). South coast, rather common; specimens from: Fram Fjord 

 (1616); Harbour Fjord, Sir Inglis Peak (2164), at the Western Sound 

 (2443), Seagull Rock (2580), Lake Valley (*2463), Spade Point (*2573); 

 Goose Fjord, Falcon Cliff (2875), Yellow Hill (3592, *3637), Midday Knoll 

 (3495), 3rd winter quarters (3304), Gallows Point (*2989). Also found by 

 Wetherill. West coast: common along the Hell Gate to Lands End 

 (*2849), Braskerud Plain (710, leg. Isachsen). Numbers marked with * 

 belong to the variety. 



