85 



which are most nearly related to this, but also specimens fully 

 according with typical f. verrucosa were apparently not uncommon. 

 The best developed individuals of the latter I met with atBalstad 

 in Lofoten. However, as I formerly regarded the species identical 

 with L. polymorphism I did not take any greater notice of it at 

 the different places. 



Remark on the synonomy. This species is included in L. 

 polymorphism recorded by Kjellman 1. c, according to specimens 

 determined by him. All the specimens that I now possess from 

 East-Finmarken referred to under that name in Contrib. 1. c. also 

 belong to L. varians, except, perhaps, a specimen from Berlevaag. 

 Still the plant mentioned by Kleen 1. c. under the name of L. 

 polymorphism, not unlikely, in part includes the present species. 



Relation to other species. The plant rather approaches smaller 

 individuals of L. glaciale, and it, in some respects, appears to form 

 an intermediate link between this species and L. polymorphism, 

 although the conceptacles of sporangia as well as the sporangia 

 themselves are different in both the named species. On the one 

 side it shows great affinity to the former, and is not always easily 

 to be distinguished, as remarked under this, even the conceptacles 

 of sporangia nearly approaching one another. But on the other 

 side it occasionally assumes forms, especially such ones growing 

 on a plain substratum in somewhat sheltered localities, which in 

 a sterile state are very difficult or nearly impossible to separate 

 from the latter. It probably is most closely related to L. glaciale, 

 but its nearest relationship cannot be made out before the organs 

 of propagation are better known. 



Habitat. On the coast of Finmarken it frequently lives in the 

 upper part of the sublitoral region, on a depth of about 2 — 5 

 fathom, but it also descends farther down, to about 10 fathoms 

 water, and on the other hand it also occurs in rock-pools in the 

 lowest part of the litoral region. Farther to the south I only met 

 with it in the sublitoral zone. It prefers exposed localities, but 

 also appearing in somewhat sheltered places. The plant is nearly 

 always much attacked by animals, which it, if possible, by and 



by covers in its existence struggle, being rich in cavities produced 



7* 



