Synthetic spectra generated with the parameterized supernova synthetic-spectrum code SYNOW are compared to spectra of the Type Ia SN 1994D that were obtained before the time of maximum brightness. Evidence is found for the presence of two-component Fe II and Ca II features, forming in high velocity (> 20,000 ) and lower velocity (< 16,000 ) matter. Possible interpretations of these spectral splits, and implications for using early--time spectra of SNe Ia to probe the metallicity of the

more »

... r white dwarf and the nature of the nuclear burning front in the outer layers of the explosion, are discussed.