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SOME NEW ENGLAND MARSUPELLAE. No. 1. 
Annie Lorenz. 
As Marsupella Sullivantii (DeNot.) Evans has been treated in so mas- 
terly a manner by Dr. Evans in Rhodora VI, Aug. 1904, and IX, March, 
1907, and the history of its present name has been traced through its tor- 
tuous synonymy, it need not be here recapitulated, 
De Notaris has given the only figure thus far of M. Sullivantii in Comm. 
Soc. Critt. Ital. 1 : 84. fig. 6. 1861, which is perhaps not easily accessible to the 
readers of The Bryologist. Figures of M. Sullivantii and of M. sphace - 
lata (Gies.) Dum. from which the former is derived, and therefore given 
together for comparison. 
M. sphacelata is much the larger, and is of so extremely lax, in fact, 
floppy nature, as well as of so extremely delicate a texture that the leaves 
tear on the slightest provocation. It is fairly difficult to find a stem suffi- 
ciently perfect for delineation. It is rather dark green, with blackish tips to 
the leaves, while M. Sullivantii is purplish black, “ wie verbrannt.” 
Further, M. sphacelata is a plant* of high altitudes, 4000 ft. or more, 
and is usually practically submerged, while M. Sullivantii is not at all 
particular as to altitude, and grows on damp rocks, but never right in the 
water. The rhizoids of M. Sullivantii are upon the old parts of the plant, 
apparently few upon the year’s growth. 
Marsupella do not bear gemmae upon their leaf-tips, and they very 
seldom produce capsules. As a general rule, they content themselves with 
stolons for their propagation, except under the most favorable circumstances. 
The fact that these particular species are dioicous is largely responsible for 
the rarity of mature capsules. 
All the members of this genus inhabit rocks containing potassic com- 
pounds. In Mr. Fernald’s paper in Rhodora IX, Sept. 1907, the minerals he 
names, as composing the rocks of his Series I, will form a most excellent 
guide to their chosen habitat. Hartford, Connecticut. 
Explanation of Plate VIII. 
Marsurpella sphacelata (Gies.) Dum. 
Fig. 1 and 2. Plants, X 80. 
“ 3. Leaf-cells, X 480. 
“ 4, 5. Leaves, X 80. 
The figures were all drawn by the writer from specimens collected in 
Tuckermann’s Ravine by Dr. Evans. 
All reduced to two-fifths. 
