128 Morten P. PorsiLp. 
The specimen of LÂsrapius was, as seen by the label, sent to some 
correspondent at Copenhagen to have it compared with L. groenlan- 
dicum. It does not indeed, belong to this species. It seems to me — as 
it seemed to LÂSTADIUS, according to remarks on his label — a mere 
ecological form, occurring now and then, and hardly inheritable. 
Also from America а L. palustre var. dilatata Wahl. is mentioned 
in literature. | have not seen this plant. Having not seen any genuine 
L. palustre from America, but only L. decumbens, I doubt the occurence 
of the former species in America, and the American var. dilatata would 
thus have to be considered an analogous ecological form of L. decumbens. 
Another form seen in the Herb. Haun. is var. longifolia Freyn, 
collected in Amur Land, Siberia by Karo. A measurement of 6 leaves 
gave 
ВА м 
Also this form will hardly be constant, and some of the specimens 
listed in У might just as well be called longifolia. 
A new distinguishing character for L. decumbens. 
As is well-known, the inflorescences of Ledum are terminal umbel-like 
clusters and the capsules are 5 celled, dehiscent from the base. In 
accordance with this fact, the capsules during ripening are downwards 
bent. There are some differences between the species in the number of 
flowers, L. palustre having: the richest, L. decumbens the poorest inflore- 
scences. Also the size of the flowers and capsules is largest in L. palu- 
stre, slightly smaller in L. groenlandicum and considerably smaller in 
L. decumbens. But most characteristic is the curvature in the peduncles 
of the ripe or hibernated capsules. In L. groenlandicum the curvature 
is even through the whole lenght of the peduncle. In L. palustre the 
curvature is nearly the same, the basal part of the peduncle being, 
however, often somewhat straightish. But in L. decumbens the peduncle 
itself is not curved or only very slightly, whereas the capsule is abruptly 
downwards bent at the very top of the peduncle, also seen by ABROMEIT, 
p. 59. This difference in the curvature gives the whole inflorescence in 
the fruiting state a very conspicuous appearance. | 
Perhaps it might be objected that this curvature of the peduneles 
would be dependent on climatic conditions and therefore of no more 
distinguishing value than the small leaves ete. of L. decumbens. One 
might probably think that the shortness of the arctic summer would 
not permit an even curving of the peduncle whilst its tissues are yet 
unsclerified and that the abrupt bending of the capsule is due to the 
abrupt setting-in of the frosts in fall. But against that objection it 
