98 H. G. SIMMONS. [sEC. arct. exp. fram 



Cochlearisb officinalis, L. 



var. groenlandica, (L) Gelert. 



C. groenlandica, Linnaeus, Sp. plant., 1753; Lange, Consp. FI. Groenl., ex p.; 

 C. fenestrata, Rob. Brown, List of pi., et Chlor. Melv.; Nathorst, N. W. 

 Gi-6nl.; Hart, Bot. Br. Pol. Exp.; Hooker, F1. Bor. Araer. ; Wetherill, List 

 ISOt ; Kjellman, in Vegaexp. ; Ledebour, FI. Ross. ; Feilden, F1. pi. Nov. Zeml. 

 C. officinalis, Britton & Brown, III. FI., ex p. ; Greely, Rep. ; Durand, Enum. 

 pi. Smith S. ; C. officinalis var. groenlandica, Gelert, in Andersson & Hessel- 

 MAN, Spetsb. karlv. ; Kruuse, List E. Greenl., et .Jan May. 

 Fig. Andersson & Hesselman, 1. c, fig. 16, 17. 



I have thought it best to accept the disposition of the Cochleariae, 

 which is published by Andersson & Hesselman, 1. c, p. 34—40, who 

 have had access to Gelert's figures and diagnoses, the results of his 

 studies of the genus, which unfortunately were not completed in con- 

 sequence of his premature death. I do not, however, presume that this 

 view of the arctic Cochleariae will be standing for the future; there 

 are doubtless, many "small species" within this form-series, constant 

 forms, but having differences between them, which though easily distinguish- 

 able to the eye, are yet very difficult to describe. My friend Mr. 

 Ostenfeld, who has for some years had rather a great number of 

 Cochleariae from different places under cultivation, has shown me 

 some such forms which are very interesting, and which show, that the 

 plants are very little variable even under considerably altered conditions. 

 At present, the disposition of Gelert, is surely the only one that can 

 be used, but there is great difficulty in ascertaining the synonyms in 

 literature for his forms. However I have tried to do so for the var. 

 groenlandica, which is the most common in arctic regions and, farthest 

 to the North, the only one as far as I can judge. In Ellesmereland as 

 in most of the Arctic American Islands, there is no other one represent- 

 ed, only from a few stations to the South I have also seen var. oblongi- 

 folia and var. arctica. The present variety of C. officinalis is gener- 

 ally called C. fenestrata but probably there are also other Cochleariae 

 understood by the same name. 



In Ellesmereland, C. officinalis \ar. groenlandica, is a very common 

 plant, but was most flourishing in the rookeries. It is one of the first 

 plants which begins to flower, and throughout the summer, individuals 

 in different states of development may be found. In the region here 

 in question, the seeds seem generally to germinate immediately after 

 getting out of the pods. Then a little rosule of leaves is formed, which 

 will, in the following spring, very soon develop an inflorescence. Perhaps 



