1879.] 185 (Halsted. 
whorls composed of longer leaves, which are collected into terminal 
heads; bracts much longer and more numerous, and the sporangia 
somewhat larger. On account of its freedom from calcareous in- 
crustation, compact cortication and general cleanliness of habit this 
variety is the finest of our American Charas, and well merits the 
name of elegans. 
The var. elegans seems to have been first found in America by 
Oakes. In the Gray Herbarium is a specimen collected by him 
which, however, bears neither date nor locality. It probably came 
from Essex Co., Mass., where the variety has been recently redis- 
covered by Mr. John Robinson, who reports that it is rather common 
in Chebacco Lake. There is also, in Herb. Gray a paper of speci- 
mens of this variety collected by Dr. George Thurber, locality not 
given. It has also been found at Peekskill, N. Y., according to Mr. 
Allen. 
Among the specimens in alcohol sent by Mr. Robinson a deviation 
from the variety form was found. ‘The difference is confined entirely 
to the leaves, the more slender nature of which, as well as its much 
shorter bracts at the sterile joints, are noticeable. The excessive 
length of the bracts around the sexual organs is in contrast with 
those in the ordinary form. The most striking peculiarity of the 
plant is its not bearing both sexual organs at the same joint. Usually 
a single sporangium and antheridium were found on each leaf, some- 
times two sporangia and no antheridium, or two antheridia and no 
sporangium; but never more than two of these organs on a leaf, and 
they at the second and third joints from the base. This arrangement 
of the sexual organs may be considered as steps towards a dicecious 
species, first in the separation of the organs to different joints and 
then to different leaves. This form is of great interest, and would 
furnish a fine subject for study to one who loves such deviations and 
can procure an abundance of specimens. 
Chara foetida A. Br. 
Chara fetida A. Braun, in Flora, 1835, 1, 63; Schweiz. Char., 
14; Coss. and Germ., Fl. Env. Par., 697; A. Braun, in Krypt. FI. 
Schlesien, 406. Chara vulgaris Linn., Wallroth, Fl. Crypt. Germ., 
11, 110; Agardh, Syst. Alg., 128; Sprengel, Fl. Halensis, 437; Kiitz., 
Phye. gen., 319; Phyc. germ., p.. 258; Sp. Alg., 523. 
Exsiccatae: Braun, Raben. and Stiz. Char. Exsic., 82. 
Illustrations: Engl. Bot., v, Tab. 336; Coss. and Germ., Atlas, 
Tab. 37, A. 
