526 Engler . — Plants of the Northern Temperate Zone in their 
with leaves 10-12 cm. long by 1-2*5 mm. wide and inflorescences 3 cm. 
long. I have seen specimens with leaves 3 mm. wide from several localities 
of the Alps, of the Sudetic Chain, and from Colorado. Here and there, the 
tepals are pale-brown, but as a rule only forms with dark brown tepals are 
to be found in all the different districts of the area. 
Very low forms with a short, compact inflorescence are to be seen in 
the Alps, the Altai mountains, and in Cashmere side by side with other 
forms. The inflorescence is always bent to one side, the growth is always 
densely tufted, the upper cauline leaves are acute, but the basal leaves 
obtuse. The plant never occurs below the subalpine region except in the 
arctic belt. No allied plant is to be found in the plains throughout the 
temperate zone of the northern hemisphere. 
From these facts, the supposition presents itself that the species 
originated in the arctics, where it has developed the physiological quality of 
growing only in regions with long periods of vegetative rest. On the other 
hand, its occurrence in distant mountains of the Mediterranean region not 
having been connected with the Pyrenees, Alps, or Carpathian Mountains, 
even during the glacial period, appears to suggest the assumption that the 
seeds have been transported over long distances by some means or other. 
They are too large for distribution by wind ; there remains, then, distribution 
by birds. This supposition is only hypothetical for the present, but is 
supported by other species of Luzula growing often in localities far distant 
from the main area of the species. 
It seems, then, quite safe to accept the view expressed by Buchenau (in 
Engler’s Botan. Jahrb., xii, J30) that the Abyssinian plant belongs as 
a variety, simensis, Hochst., to L. spicata. Further, if the Abyssinian plant 
belongs to this species as a variety, it is obvious that L . Volkensii belongs 
to it also. 
All these African forms, however, differ from all the other forms of 
L. spicata in having stolons, in their obtuse leaves and bracts, and in the 
inflorescence being erect not pendulous. I hold the opinion, then, that the 
African plant must be contrasted, under the name of L. abyssinica , Parlat., 
with the widely distributed L. spicata. To this species are to be reckoned 
as varieties, the var. kilimandscharica , Engl., a tall plant of 60 cm. which 
ascends up to 3,600 m., and the var. Volkensii , (Buchenau) Engl., which 
grows at 3,700-3,900 m. 
There is no doubt that this variety is produced by the climatic 
conditions prevailing in the upper regions of the Kilimanjaro, which retard 
the prolific development of stolons. 
L. abyssinica appears never to have advanced further south. In fact, 
there is no country in the Eastern hemisphere, except New Zealand, where 
the type of L. spicata has developed itself further. 
It is otherwise in America. Here we observe Luzula spicata spread as 
