It is, of course, possible to follow the latest writer on the subject, and consider each extreme of variation a distinct species, but I do not agree with him in the opinion that the naming of varieties is a stupid practice, nor do I see that it necessarily follows that because a species was named _Japonicum_ from Japanese specimens that we must infer that its centre of distribution is in Japan. As I understand it, to take a familiar example, _B. ternatum_ stands for a plant possessing certain characters no matter where found. If we should find another _Botrychium_ that differed from this in some specific way, it would be correct to call it another species; but if it showed minor differences, slightly thicker or thinner leaves, a longer or shorter stipe, a little deeper notching of the leaves, etc.—all characters that vary with the locality—then it would seem more properly referred as a variety of the first species. As I have noted in this journal there are certain slight differences between the Japanese _B. ternatum_ and our familiar species of Eastern America, but these are not enough, I now believe, to make them two separate species, since all the differences are found in the texture and cutting of the sterile part of the frond. Under such circumstances I would arrange our American forms as follows: Botrychium ternatum obliquum (_B. obliquum Muhl._). The common form in the North Atlantic States. B. t. obliquum forma DISSECTUM (_B. dissectum_ Spreng.). An exact duplicate of the preceding form in everything except the cutting of the pinnules. These latter characterized by a paucity of tissue between the terminal veins. Has the same habitat and range, and the same peculiarity of waiting until July or later before putting up its leaf for the season. No more entitled to specific rank than the “cut leaved” birch or elder. B. t. obliquum forma INTERMEDIUM (_B. obliquum intermedium_ Unde.). I would call this a mere form, comparable to any of the chance varieties of _Athyrium filix-foemina_. B. t. obliquum forma COULTERI (_B. Coulteri_ Unde.). A western form rather more fleshy than that of the East. Grows in geyser formations which may account for the difference in its appearance. B. t. obliquum forma OCCIDENTALE (_B. occidentale_ Unde.). Closely related to the preceding, and, in my opinion, a phase of it. Both good representatives of the western form. B. ternatum Oneidense (_B. ternatum_ var. _Oneidense_ Gilbert). This, the most strongly marked of the forms in the Atlantic States failed to receive a place in the recently published index to the described species of _Botrychium_. It can be distinguished at a glance in field or herbarium by its broad and slightly divided pinnules, and is very common in central New York. The fronds, notwithstanding their broad pinnules, are among the smallest of the group. If any of our forms of _Botrychium_ are entitled to sub-specific rank, this is certainly the one.