T. Holm — Studies in the Cyjperacem. 17 



theless, none of these varieties seem sufficiently characteristic 

 for being considered as specifically distinct, inasmuch as many 

 intergradating forms have been observed between these and 

 the one which we consider typical. 



There is, still, another Car ex from the Chilliwack Valley, 

 which we are most inclined to refer to this same species, 

 although its very slender culms and leaves, besides the conspicu- 

 ously spreading perigynia, make it somewhat anomalous as 

 C. f estiva. Specimens of this plant (No. 26,647-48) were 

 labeled C. illota Bailey by Mr. Macoun, and from their habit 

 they are not unlike this species, which, however, is identical with 

 Kunth's C. Bonplandii var. angiistifolia. An examination 

 of the perigynium (fig. 5) proved, however, that this does not 

 show the structure of that of C. Bonplandii, but rather that 

 of C. f estiva, hence we prefer to enumerate it, at least " ad 

 interim," as a variety of the latter. 



Carex spectabilis Dew. (fig. A, p. 18.) 



The original diagnosis* reads as follows : " Culm 8 to 12 

 inches high, erect, smooth, striate; leaves sheating, fiat and 

 smooth, upper ones about equalling the culms ; bracts long and 

 leafy ; staminate spike single, erect, cylindric and oblong, with 

 oblong obtusish scales ; stigmas 3 ; pistillate spikes 2 to 3, ovate, 

 cylindric, erect, remotish, pedunculate, and the lowest long- 

 pedunculate, sheaths short; fruit ovate, obtuse nerved, scarcely 

 rostrate, orifice two-lobed ; pistillate scale oblong, lanceolate, 

 short rnucronate, all reddish brown, and a little longer than 

 the fruit. Found in the Arctic regions. " 



Carex sjpectabilis in several respects is suggestive of C. macro- 

 chceta Mey., but differs constantly from this by its merely 

 rnucronate squamse, the cylindrical and dense-flowered spikes, 

 the two-lobed or simply emarginate orifice of the perigynium 

 (figs, a, b and c), of which only three nerves are visible on the 

 outer face. In (J. macrochceta the scales are aristate, the mid- 

 vein being very much extended beyond the apex of the scale, 

 the spikes are relatively shorter and lax-flowered ; furthermore, 

 the perigynium is quite prominently several-nerved and the 

 orifice entire (fig. d) and constantly so, judging from the numer- 

 ous specimens which we have examined. But common to both 

 are the aphyllopodic culms and distinctly pedunculate pistillate 

 spikes, which, however, are often drooping in C. macrochwta, 

 but merely spreading or erect in C. spectabilis. As to the 

 color of the foliage, it appears as if the leaves and perigynia 

 are deeper green in the latter. 



* This Journal, vol. xxix, 1836, p. 248. 



Am. Jour. Scl— Fourth Series, Vol. XVIII, No. 103.— July, 1904. 

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