III.—Botany.

Cruciferæ.

• Nasturtium palustre, DC. var. terrestre.

• Cardamine hirsuta, Linn., var. a. debilis.

• Lepidium oleraceum, Forst.

Violarieæ.

• Viola cunninghamii, Hook. fil.

• Hymenanthera latifolia, Endl. var. chathamica (F. v. Mueller, ‘Veg. Chatham Islands,’ but not described there).

A small pale-barked shrub-tree in bush. Leaves shortly petiolate, oblong ovate, acuminate at both ends, 2—3 inches long, 3/4—1 inch broad, serrate, strongly reticulated on both surfaces; coriaceous; flowers fascicled on the branches, peduncles decurved, 1–5th inch long, with two minute bracts near the middle, calyx-lobes obtuse, ciliolate, not spreading; petals linear oblong, twice as long as the sepals; anthers erect, connate into a fringed membranous tube. Fruit not seen.

This var. has also been collected by Dr. Hector in the Upper Rangitikei country, with large lanceolate leaves 3—4 inches long, sharply serrate, the venation on both surfaces strongly marked and very coriaceous.

Caryophylleæ.

• Stellaria parviflora, Banks and Sol.

• Colobanthus billardieri, Fenzl.

Malvaceæ.

• Plagianthus divaricatus, Forst.

• betulinus, A. Cunn. Nat. name—Houhere. 10—15 feet high.

Lineæ.

• Linum monogynum, Forst.

Geraniaceæ.

• * Geranium traversii, Hook. fil. (Pl. XIII. f. 2.)

Rhamneæ.

• Discaria toumatou, Forst.

Sapindaceæ.

• Dodonœa viscosa, Forst.

Anacardiaceæ.

• Corynocarpus lœvigata, Forst.

Coriarieæ.

• Coriaria ruscifolia, Linn.

Leguminosæ.

• Sophora tetraptera, Aiton, var. grandiflora.

Rosaceæ.

• Potentilla anserina, Linn., var. b.

• Acœna sanguisorbœ, Vahl.

• ” “ var. a.

In addition to the species, which is common both to New Zealand and the Chatham Islands, this well-marked var. has been collected by Mr. H. H. Travers on both visits. Characterised by its larger size, very silky habit, and

long bristles on the calyx. It is often found among scrub, growing 6—8 feet high; stems rigid upright.

Crassulaceæ.

• Tillœa moschata, DC.

Droseraceæ.

• Drosera binata, Labill.

Halorageæ.

• Haloragis alata, Jacq.

• Myriophyllum elatinoides, Gaud.

• pedunculatum, Hook. fil.

• Callitriche verna, Linn.

Onagrarieæ.

• Epilobium confertifolium, Hook, fil., var. a.

• rotundifolium, Forst.

• junceum, Forst.

• pubens, A. Rich.

• billardierianum, Seringe.

• pallidiflorum, Sol.

Ficoideæ.

• Mesembryanthemum australe, Sol.

• Tetragonia implexicoma, Miquel, var. chathamica.

Widely spreading, or frequently climbing, frutescent leaves broadly rhomboid, occasionally broadly lanceolate, pedicels axillary, solitary, or geminate, downy, longer than the flower, lobes of the calyx unequal in size, semi-lanceolate, inside intensely yellow, stamens 12—16, styles 3—4, fruit 3—4-celled, spherical, red, 3—4-seeded, without wings or teeth. (F. Muell. l. c.)

Umbelliferæ.

• Hydrocotyle asiatica, Linn.

• moschata, Forst.

• Crantzia lineata, Nutt.

• Apium australe, Thouars.

• Oreomyrrhis colensoi, Hook. fil.

• * Aciphylla traversii, F. Muell. (Gingidii sp. F. Muell. l. c.; Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Flora ii. 729).

Plant small, 10in. high, rather flaccid, smooth, leaves all radical, pinnate, 2in. long, numerous, sheath 2in. long, denticulate, 1/2in. broad, with membranous margins, leaflets 5—7, striate and pungent, scape stout, striate, bearing at top one bract and seven involucral leaves similar to the radical leaves, of 5—7 leaflets, and seven long, peduncled, densely capitate, globular umbels of fruit, peduncles unequal, 1 1/2—2 inches long, grooved, umbels lin. in diameter, compound, involucral, leaves of fruit, linear, subulate, 1/3in. long, carpels with five wings, the central dorsal broadest.

Aciphylla lyallii, Hook. fil.

monroi, Hook. fil.

Collected on both visits.

* Ligusticum dieffenbachii, Hook. fil. (Gingidium dieffenbachii, F. Muell. l. c. 17). Daucus brachiatus, Sieb.

Araljaceæ.

Panax crassifolia, Dene & Planche. (Hedera crassifolia, A. Gray; F. Muell, l. c.)

This species, so remarkable in New Zealand for its varied leaf-form, shows in the Chatham Island plant another well marked variety.

In the varieties of New Zealand the leaves, whether one or three foliolate, are much elongated, narrow, and reflexed downwards for several years before flowering; afterwards they become shorter, broader, and erect.

In the variety under notice the leaves are erect from the first, before flowering being 3—10 inches long, 1—1 1/2 inches broad, and with a few deep serrations at the tips. Mixed with these in the earliest stage are a few small obcordate leaves, lin. long, 3/4in. broad. After the plant commences to flower, the leaves diminish in size and become entire. The fruit is more elongate in this variety than in the varieties of New Zealand, resembling most that of Panax lineare, Hook. fil., from Dusky Bay, South Island.

Corneæ.

Corokia buddleoides, A. Cunn.

Native names—Whakataka and Hokataka; grows 15—20 feet high.

Rubiaceæ.

Coprosma baueriana, Endl.

Nat. name—Karamu. This species is found in the bush as a small tree, 10—12 feet high.

Coprosma robusta, Raoul.

cunninghamii, Hook. fil.

propinqua, A. Cunn.

Nat. name—Mingimingi; 3—6 feet high, according to Mr. Travers, forming a considerable portion of the bush, and from its dense close growth almost impenetrable.

Coprosma acerosa, A. Cunn.

Compositæ.

Olearia angustifolia, Hook. fil., var. (Olearia operina, Hook f. l. c. 731; Eurybia operina, Forst. F. Muell. l.c.)

Leaves very variable in size, obovate-acute to ovate-obtuse, 1—3 inches long, 1/2—1 inch broad, very coriaceous. Peduncles none or short, with a few lax bracts. Flowers large, purple; single flowering, in succession over a lengthened period. Achenes ribbed, silky. Pappus robust; purple on the upper half, pale yellow on the lower. More closely allied to O. angustifolia than to O. operina.

*Olearia semidentata, Decaisne, (Pl. XIV).

Described by Mr. H. H. Travers as a beautiful shrub 1—3 feet high, having masses of dark purple flowers, and generally growing in damp places.

The leaves of young plants are very close set and narrow, differing in this

respect from young plants of O. operina and O. angustifolia, to both of which it is allied.

*Olearia traversii, F. Muell.

Nat. name—Akeake; 20—30 feet high, and sometimes 2 feet in diameter. This may be considered as the only valuable timber tree in the islands, being durable and not subject to the attacks of insects.

• Brachycome sinclairi, Hook. fil.

• Cotula coronopifolia, Linn.

• *(Myriogyne) featherstonii, F. Muell.

• lanata, Hook. fil.

• Craspedia fimbriata, DC.

• Gnaphalium bellidioides, Hook. fil.

• filicaule, Hook, fil.

• luteo-album, Linn.

• involucratum, Forst.

• collinum, Labill.

• Erechtites prenanthoides, DC.

• scaberula, Hook. fil.

• quadridentatus, DC.

• Senecio lautus, Forst.

• " Forst., var. radiolatus (S. radiolatus, F. Muell., l. c.).

A broader leaved var. of this species than that from the Chatham Islands has since been collected by Mr. Travers on the Brothers Rocks, Cook Strait. The leaves are remarkably thick and fleshy, and only show membranous, as stated in the Handb. N.Z. Flora, p. 734, after drying.

• *Senecio huntii, F. Muell. Nat. name—Rautine. (F. Muell., l. c.)

• Taraxacum dens-leonis, Desf.

• Sonchus oleraceus, Linn.

• Wahlenbergia gracilis, A.DC.

• Lobelia anceps, Thunb.

• Pratia macrodon, Hook. fil.

Ericeæ.

*Cyathodes robusta, Hook. fil. (C. acerosa, Br., var. b. latifolia, Flora N.Z. i., 163, and Veg. Chatham Islands, 43).

• Leucopogon richei, Br. (F. Muell., l. c. 45).

• Pentachondra pumila, Br.

• Dracophyllum scoparium, Hook. fil., Flora Antarct. i. 47 (D. urvilleanum, A. Rich, var. d. Handb. N.Z. FI. i. 182; D. latifolium, Hook. fil., var. ciliolatum, l. c. ii. 736).

A small tree 20—30 feet high. Specimens in Mr. Travers' collection show the young leaves flat, 8—9 inches long, and 3/4 inch broad, becoming reduced in size before flowering to 2—3 inches long, very narrow, involute, and ciliate on the lower margin in all stages; both sizes may be found on the same plant, the larger form on the lower branches only.

In the young state the fascicles of large broad leaves bear a considerable resemblance to those of D. latifolium, A. Cunn., and D. menziesii, Hook. fil., neither of which are found on the islands.

This plant, from its large leaves when young and ciliate margins, has good claim to be re-established as a distinct species, though latterly it has only been considered as a var. of D. urvilleanum.

It is also found in the Lake District of Otago, where it was at first supposed to be D. menziesii, Hook. fil., never having been found in flower, although the leaf transition was noticed on small plants.

Dracophyllum rosmarinifolium, Forst.

A small shrub 3—8 inches high. In Mr. Travers' collection rooted specimens 3—4 inches high are found in flower. It agrees in every respect with the above species, except in sometimes having 1—4-flowered spikes, instead of 1—2-flowered spikes, as described by Dr. Hooker (Handb. N.Z. Flora, 183).

Myrsineæ.

*Myrsine chathamica, F. Muell.

Shrubby, erect, much branched. Leaves 1 1/2—2 1/2 inches long, obovateoblong, obtuse or emarginate, pale and reticulated on both surfaces (Dr. Hooker, Handb. N.Z. FI. 736). The fruit is described by Baron F. von Mueller as purplish, spherical, one-seeded, size of a large pea. To this may be added: Flowers in capitate lateral fascicles; calyx, 4-lobed; petals, 4, pale greenish, spotted red, ciliate on the margins, erect; stamens, 4, adherent to the petals; anthers large; stigma sessile, capitate. Dr. Hooker thinks this may be a large state of M. urvillei, and specimens of the latter, with large, nearly flat leaves, found in New Zealand, approach it very closely, except in size of fruit.

• Myrsine nummularia, Hook. fil.

Primulaceæ.

• Samolus littoralis, Br.

Gentianeæ.

• Gentiana pleurogynoides, Griseb.

Boragineæ.

• *Myosotidium nobile, Hook. (PI. XII.)

Convolvulaceæ.

• Convolvulus sepium, Linn.

• soldanella, Linn.

• Dichondra repens, Forst.

Solaneæ.

• Solanum aviculare, Forst.

• nigrum, Linn.

Scrophularineæ.

• Veronica salicifolia, Forst. (V. forsteri, F. Muell. var. salicifolia, l. c. 46.)

• *dieffenbachii, Benth.

• *chathamica, n. sp. (V. forsteri, F. Muell. var. elliptica, l. c. 46.)

• PL XIII. f. 1.

A. small prostrate rambling shrub. Branches wiry, 1/3 inch diameter, pubescent. Leaves spreading, irregular in size, sessile, 1/3—1 1/2 inches long, 1–5th—1/2 inch broad, obovate-oblong or ovate-oblong, acuminate, entire, flat, scarcely coriaceous. Racemes few or many, 1—1 1/2 inches long, subterminal at the ends of the branches and axillary to the uppermost leaves, orbicular or ovate. Flowers numerous, closely set; peduncles 1/2 inch long, pubescent; pedicels and lanceolate bracts equal in length, pubescent; sepals 1/8—1/6 inch long, linear lanceolate, ciliate; corolla large, dark purple, tube short; capsule imperfect. This beautiful shrub has been cultivated by Mr. Travers in his garden in Wellington, where the profusion of its dark purple flowers and prostrate habit has proved a most showy addition to those plants adapted for the ornamentation of rock-work or earth banks.

Verbenaceæ.

• Myoporum lœtum, Forst.

Labiata.

• Mentha cunninghamii, Benth.

Chenopodiaceæ.

• Chenopodium triandrum, Forst.

• glaucum, Linn.

• Atriplex patula, Linn.

• billardieri, Hook fil.

• Salicornia indica, Willd.

Polygoneæ.

• Polygonum minus, Huds., var. decipiens.

• Muhlenbeckia adpressa, Lab.

Thymeleæ.

• Pimelea arenaria, A. Cunn.

Euphorbiaceæ.

• Euphorbia glauca, Forst.

Urticaceæ.

• Urtica australis, Hook fil.

• Parietaria debilis, Forst.

Piperaceæ.

• Piper excelsum, Forst.

Monocotyledons.

Irideæ.

• Libertia ixioides, Spreng.

Naiadeæ.

• Triglochin triandrum, Mich.

• Potamogeton natans, Linn.

• Ruppia maritima, Linn.

Liliaceæ.

• Rhipogonum scandens, Forst.

• Astelia cunninghamii, Hook. fil.

• grandis, Hook. fil. (Trans. N.Z. Inst., IV., 245, Mr. Kirk on N.Z. Asteliads).

• Phormium tenax, Forst.

Palmeæ.

• Areca sapida, Sol.

Junceæ.

• Juncus planifolius, Br.

• bufonius, Linn.

• novœ-zealandiœ, Hook. fil.

• Luzula campestris, DC.

Restiaceæ.

• Leptocarpus simplex, A. Rich.

• *Sporadanthus traversii, F. Muell., n. gen. and n. sp.

Cyperaceæ.

• Schœnus axillaris, Hook. fil.

• Scirpus triqueter, Linn.

• Eleocharis gracilis, Br., var. c. radicans.

• acuta, Br., var. platylepis.

• Isolepis nodosa, Br.

• aucklandica, Hook. fil.

• Desmoschœnus spiralis, Hook. fil.

• Cladium glomeratum, Br.

• Uncinia rupestris, Raoul.

• Carex appressa, Br.

• Forsteri, Wahl.

• trifida, Cavan.

• lambertiana, Boott.

Gramineæ.

• Hierochloe redolens, Br.

• Dichelachne crinita, Hook. fil.

• Agrostis œmula, Br.

• Arundo conspicua, Forst.

• Danthonia semi-annularis, Br.

• Deschampsia cœspitosa, Palisot.

• Trisetum subspicatum, Palisot.

• Poa breviglumis, Hook. fil.

• foliosa, Hook. fil., var. a.

• " " var. b.

• Festuca littoralis, Br.

Cryptogamia.

Art. XLVIII.—Observations on the different Modifications in the Capsules
of Mosses, with, reference to the Dispersion of their Spores.

By Captain F. W. Hutton, C.M.Z.S., etc.

fruit-stalk is sometimes straight, but often curved, so that the capsule is inclined or pendulous (fig. 13), with the mouth turned downward and thus protected from rain. In some mosses the same effect is obtained by the capsule itself being cernuous, while the fruit-stalk is straight.

In order to give some method to the remarks that follow I shall divide the mosses into (1) those in which the capsule alone is used; (2) those in which the peristome is used; and (3) those in which the columella is used, combined either with the operculum or with the peristome.

1. Mosses in which the capsule alone is used.

In the lowest forms, the family Phascei, the capsule decays and bursts open irregularly so that the spores are quite exposed, except in those species where the capsule is immersed in the perichætial leaves. But it must be remarked that in Phascum cuspidatum, which is the only species in which I have been able to make the observation, the perichætial leaves open when wet and close when dry, so that the protection thus afforded can be but slight. They have, however, very few spores in a capsule, Phascum alternifolium only having about sixteen, and P. serratum about one hundred, so that it would hardly be necessary to protect so few from being all blown away together. These mosses are all inhabitants of the plains, and grow on ditch banks and other sheltered situations; but there is another family, the Andreœeœ, which lives on exposed rocks on mountains, and yet has the capsule not much more complicated than in the humble Phascei. In this family when the spores are ripe the capsule divides longitudinally into four or more parts, the upper extremities of which adhere together. These parts bend downward when dry, and allow the spores to escape through the open fissures (fig. 8b), but on the air getting damp they straighten and close up the capsule again quite tight (fig. 8a), and thus prevent the spores being blown away in wet weather.

The first step towards a more complicated state of things is when the capsule, instead of bursting through decay, is furnished with an operculum, which falls off when the spores are ripe, thus leaving them to some extent protected by the vase-like form of the capsule. Some genera of mosses, such as Braunia, Physcomitrium, and Aulacopilum, have no further provision against all their spores being knocked out at once; but in others, as Hedwigia and Leptangium, ^* the capsule is immersed in the leaves. In the genus Sphagnum, when the capsule is ripe, the operculum and spores are said to be driven off with violence to a distance of six or seven inches. The next step is the formation of a flexible ring of very hygroscopic cells, called the annulus (fig. 14), interposed between the mouth of the capsule and the operculum, as in Œnectangium and Calomnion, which protects in some measure the spores from

the wind; while in some species of Gymnostomum, as well as in Cadomnion, a further provision is made by the walls of the capsule being much thickened at the mouth, which reduces the size of the opening. In most of those genera in which the apparatus for protecting the spores is more perfect this annulus falls away ^* after it has performed its office of throwing off the operculum from the capsule, but in the genera just mentioned it is persistent. ^†

In Œnectangium also the spores are very minute and numerous, which gives evident facilities for their far and wide dispersion ^‡

2. Mosses in which the peristome is used.

I come now to that large division of mosses which have a series of teeth, called the peristome, arranged round the mouth of the capsule. In its most complete state this peristome consists of an external row of sixteen conical teeth, and an internal folded membrane divided above into processes sometimes with cilia between each (fig. 7). The inner peristome is, however, variously modified, and is often altogether absent. The outer peristome consists normally of sixteen teeth, which are sometimes split half way down, as in Dicranum, Fissidens, etc. Sometimes they are divided to the base so as to make their number thirty-two, as in Trichostomum and Tortula. In rare cases also two teeth are joined together so as to reduce their number to eight, as in the tropical genus Octoblepharum, while occasionally they are reduced to four, as in Tetraphis.

The peristome also is very variously developed in different mosses. In some, such as Weissia, Didymodon, Conomitrium, etc., the teeth are short and fragile and soon break off. In Trichostomum, Encalypta, etc., they are stronger; while in most genera they are strong and answer admirably their purpose of preventing the too easy escape of the spores.

These mosses can be divided into five groups in each of which the peristome is used in a different way.

(a.) The first group, which is represented in New Zealand by the genera Dicranum, Dicranodontium, Campylopus, Racomitrium, ^† Leucobryum, Grimmia, Ceratodon, Conostomum, and Symblepharis, have the peristome long and well formed, and the teeth stand nearly erect round the mouth of the capsule with

3. Mosses in which the columella is used.

These mosses may be divided into two groups, which use the columella in connection with the operculum or the peristome respectively.

Art. XLIX.—Description of a new Species of Senecio.

By Thomas F. Cheeseman, F.L.S.

Art. L.—On the Fertilisation of Acianthus and Cyrtostilis.

By Thomas F. Cheeseman, F.L.S.

estimated that about one quarter of the flowers produce capsules; but from subsequent observations I am now convinced that the number is much less. Corysanthes offers a case of imperfect fertilisation even more singular. In all the species the proportion of capsules produced is very small, and large patches can often be found that have failed to mature a single one. As an illustration, a bed of Corysanthes triloba, in a favourable situation for the visits of insects, expanded, during the last season, over two hundred flowers: yet of this large number only five succeeded in ripening capsules. We must be cautious, though, in assuming that the imperfect fertilisation of these plants is of much real disadvantage to them. In many districts Pterostylis trullifolia is quite as abundant as Acianthus; while the less general distribution of the species of Corysanthes is probably due to their organization not being so well adapted to a variety of conditions and habitats, rather than to the scarcity of seed produced. In their special localities they are often abundant.

2. Cyrtostylis oblonga.

The great resemblance that this plant bears to Acianthus, induced me to suppose that its fertilisation would be conducted on the same plan, and this appears to be the case. We find in Cyrtostylis, as in Acianthus, the lip horizontally spread out, secreting abundance of nectar; the column arching over it; the points of the rostellum hanging downwards, with the pollinia firmly fastened to their upper margins; together with other contrivances, all apparently co-ordinated, so that an insect, having once entered the flower, can hardly avoid attaching itself to the pollen-masses, and removing them on its departure.

On comparing the flowers of the two plants, we at once find a difference in the structure of the lip. In Acianthus this organ is concave, for the purpose of storing up nectar to serve as an attraction for insects: in Cyrtostylis it is narrow, and quite plain; but the same end is attained by allowing the nectar slowly to trickle down each side of the midrib. The secreting glands at the base of the lip are much smaller than in the former species, while the papillæ on the margins and points are totally wanting. The column agrees with that of Acianthus in most features, but is broadly winged on each side. This may be of use as a protection to the stigma, or perhaps the projections serve as guides for the proper withdrawal and insertion of the pollen-masses, No difference worth mention is found in the stigma, or rostellum; and the mode of attachment of the pollinia to the latter organ appears to be precisely the same in both plants. In the shape of the pollen-masses themselves, however, we find a marked divergence, for instead of being nearly subdivided, as in Acianthus, they are simply falcate in shape. They are laterally much compressed, and extremely friable.

Art. LI.—On Pterostylis squamata in New Zealand.

By Thomas F. Cheeseman, F.L.S.

Art. LII—A Description of some new Species of Gymnostomum.

By Charles Knight, F.R.C.S., F.L.S.

Explanations of Plate XXVIII.

Plant nat. size, and capsule enlarged.

• a, b. Leaves enlarged.

• c, d, e. Portion of leaves greatly enlarged.

• 2. Gymnostomum knightii.

Capsule enlarged.

• a, b. Leaves enlarged.

• c, d. Portion of leaves greatly enlarged.

• 3. Gymnostom calcareum var. intermedium.

Capsule enlarged.

• a, b. Leaves enlarged.

• c. Portion of leaf greatly enlarged.

• 4.Gymnostomum sulcatum.

Plant enlarged.

• a. Operculum and calyptra enlarged.

• b, c, d. Leaves enlarged.

• e. Portion of leaf greatly enlarged.

• 5.Gymnostomum areolatum.

Plant enlarged.

• a. Leaf enlarged.

• b. Portion of leaf greatly enlarged.

• 6.Gymnostomum angustatum.

Capsule enlarged.

• a, b. Leaves enlarged.

• c. Portion of leaf greatly enlarged.

Art. LIII.—Description of some New Zealand Lichens.

By Charles Knight, F.R.C.S., F.L.S.

3*. Lecidea parasema, Ach.

L. parasema, Ach. (Nyl. in Lich. Scand. p. 217), described in Handbook N.Z. Fl., p. 584, I have not succeeded in collecting in New Zealand, and it is most likely that the common lichen, L. myriocarpa, DC., has been mistaken for it. This latter plant is common in New Zealand, although not described in the Handbook. The thallus is ashy-green, thin, subgranular, and determinate. The apothecia small and margined. Spores uniseptate, brown, 0.013 millim. long, and 0.008 millim. broad. Hypothecium black or obscurely brown.

Syn. L. punctata, Schœr. Exs. 197, and L. punctata g. denudata, Schœr. Exs. 529.

It is true that our lichen agrees with those in the collections of Leighton from Great Britain, and others from Germany and Scandinavia, under the name of L. parasema, but in every specimen that I examined of those collections the character agrees with L. myriocarpa, to which species in fact they belong.

4. Lecidea radomma, Nyl. in litt.

Thallus cinereus, granulosus. Apothecia atra, superficialia, mediocria, plana, margine promiente. Sporœ octonœ, incolores, ellipsoideæ, biloculares, plerumque tubulo loculos jungente, longit, 0.025 mm., crassit. 0.015 mm. Stratum hypothecii subhymeniale fuscum, stratum excipulare album.

Ad cortices arborum.

Thallus ashy, granular. Apothecia black, superficial, medium size, flat, with prominent margin. Spores eight in each ascus, colourless, ellipsoid, bilocular, cells united by a tube, 0.025 millim. long, 0.015 millim. thick. Subhymeneal stratum brown, excipular stratum white.

On bark of trees.

Differs from L. leucoplaca,Chev., in the excipulum being white, and the spores mostly with a connecting tube between the cells.

5. Lecidea marginiflexa.

Montague considers this plant to be L. tuberculosa, Fée (Flora N.Z., p. 299). This is a mistake. Fée's lichen has multilocular spores, while L. marginifexa has uniseptate spores and only one spore in each ascus.

Lecanora parella var. implicata.

Differs from the typical form in the thallus being neither granular nor warty, but rugose. In this it resembles a corticular specimen collected by J. P. Norlin at Tavaastia Asikkala. The disk is more coloured than usual in Buchanan's specimen, and is convex or flat in the full grown apothecia, as is sometimes the case in L. tartarea. Specimens are seen in all stages between slightly rugose and warty. One, which Nylander has named L. thelotremoides, is clearly intermediate between L. implicata and L. parella.

Syn. Lecanora implicata, Stirton.

6. Lecidea fusco-lutea, Dickson.

Thallus albus, granulosus. Apothecia magna, sordide lutea vel liventia, plana, prominente marginata. Ascis unam sporam oblongam grandissimam minutissime muricatam foventibus.

Thallus white, granular. Apothecia large, dull yellow or liver-coloured, disk flat with a prominent margin. Asci with one large muricated spore, 0.188 millim. long, 0.052 millim. thick.

The Lecidea fusco-lutea of Acharius has bilocular spores, the cells connected by a tube. See Schœrer Exs. 215 (L. ferruginea b. leucorrhœa)

7. Lecidea leucoplaca, Chev.

Thallus cinereo-virescens, effusus, granulatus vel granulato-rugosus. Apothecia exserta, disco plano et margine prominente, stratum hypothecii subhymeniale et stratum excipulare nigra, lineo ochro-fusco disjuncta. Sporœ 8næ, incolores, ellipsoideæ, biloculares,longit. 0.025 mm. crassit. 0.012 mm.

Syn. L. premnea, Fries. L. grossa, Nyl. (in litt.) L. maculosa, Stirton L. melastegia, Nyl. L. melaclina, Nyl. Leighton Exs. 125 ! 90 !

Ad cortices arborum.

Thallus ashy-green, effuse, granular or granulo-rugose. Apothecía exserted, with flat disk and prominent margin, the subhymeneal stratum of hypothecium and excipular stratum black and separated by a yellowish-brown line. Spores 8 in each ascus, colourless, ellipsoid, bilocular, 0.025 millim long, 0.012 millim. thick.

I have examined specimens in Mr. Buchanan's collection—whence Dr. Stirton's lichens were obtained—and find no difference between L. maculosa, Stirt., and L. leucoplaca, Chev. The measurements of the spores given by Dr. Stirton would answer for L. parasema, Nyl. Lich. Scand.

8. Lecidea versicolor, Fée, var. subtuberculosa, Knight.

Thallus subtuberculosus, pallido-stramineus. Apothecia sparsa, fusca, marginata, margine concolore. Sporœ pallido-lutaE, uniseptatæ, ovatæ, longit. 0.024 mm. Hypothecium pallido-flavidum.

Ad cortices.

Thallus subtuberculose, pale straw. Apothecia scattered, brown, margined; margin concolorous. Spores pale yellow, 1-septate, ovate, 0.038 millim. long, 0.024 millim, thick. Hypothecium pale yellow.

On bark of trees.

It is not unlikely that L. taitensis, Mont., and L. versicolor, Fé, are the same plant. If so the varieties in New Zealand are (1) L. taitensis with rugose thallus, and spores 0.075 mm. in length, and margin of apothecium much darker than the ashy-brown disk; (2) L. versicolor with pale border and brown disk, spores .05 mm. in length, hypothecium white, and thallus tuberouloso

isidiose; and (3) L. taitensis var. subtuberculosa, with smoother thallus, the disk and margin of the apothecium brownish-black, spores 0.033 mm. in length, and hypothecium pale yellow.

In L. marginiflexa the asci contain only one spore in each and that linear oblong and bilocular. In L. fusco-lutea, Dicks., also, the asci contain only one spore in each, but that is linear oblong or cylindrical, and minutely muricated.

8c. Lecidea versicolor, Fée.

Thallus albus, granulato-inæqualis vel granuloso-isidiosus. Apothecia disco fusco, et margine pallido, tumido, undulato. Sporœ uniseptatæ, ovatæ, incolores, longit. 0.05 mm., crassit. 0.023 mm. Hypothecium album.

Ad corticem arborum.

Thallus white, granulose, unequal, or granular-isidiose. Apothecia with brown disk, and pale tumid wavy margin. Spores 1-septate, ovate, colourless, 0.05 millim. long, 0.023 millim. thick. Hypothecium white.

9. Lecideas taitensis, Mont.

Thallus cineraceus vel eborinus, graulatus vel verrucoso-rugosus, passim rimulosus. Apothecia disco fumeo, et margine fusco-atro, tumido, undulato. Sporœ pallido-lutœ vel incolores, magnæ, ovatæ, incurviusculæ, uniseptatæ, longit. 0.075 mm., crassit. 0.035 mm. Stratum hypothecii subhymeniale incolore, perithecium fuscum.

Ad corticem arborum.

Thallus greyish or cream-coloured, granulate or warty rugose, here and there rimulose. Apothecia greyish-brown, and margin brownish-black, tumid, wavy. Spores pale yellow or colourless, large, ovate, little incurved, 1-septate, 0.075 millim. long, 0.035 millim. thick. Hymeneal stratum of hypothecium colourless; perithecium brown.

On bark.

10. Lecanora contigua, Ach., var. meiospora, Nyl.

Thallus albus vel cineraceus, areolatus, lineâ fuscâ limitatus. Apothecia sessilia, convexa, fusco-nigra, immarginata. Sporæ, incolores, ellipsoideæ, longit. 0.014 mm., crassit. 0.008 mm. Hypothecium fusco-nigrum.

Ad saxa et supra terram argillaceam.

Thallus white or ashy-white, areolate or cracked, bounded by a dark line. Apothecia sessile, convex, brownish-black, immarginate. Spores colourless, ellipsoid, 0.014 millim. long, 0.008 millim. thick. Hypothecium brownish-black.

On rocks and clayey banks.

11. Lecidea melanotropa, Nyl.

Thallus fractus, granuloso-inæqualis vel granuloso-rimosus, in aliquot

exemplis sublævis, albidus vel pallido-cinereus vel cinereo-flavus. Apothecia nigra vel cæsio-pruinosa vel cæsio-pallentia, plana, demum convexa; margine obtuso, ceraceo-pallido, quandoque subconcolori. SporoE incolores, ellipsoideæ, interdum incurvæ, sæpius utroque apice acutiusculæ, longit. 0.014 mm., crassit. 0.007 mm. Hypothecium incolor.

Ad cortices arborum.

Thallus cracked, unequally granular, or granuloso-rimose, sometimes rather smooth, white, or pale-ashy or ashy-yellow. Apothecia black or bluish pruinose, at length convex; margin broad, waxlike, pale, now and then of one colour with the disk. Spores colourless ellipsoid, sometimes incurved, often rather acute at either end, 0.014 millim. long, 0.007 millim. thick. Hypothecium colourless.

The character of the thallus and the colours of the apothecia vary greatly, but nevertheless nearly all the variations of the latter may be found in one and the same plant. The thallus varies according to the nature of the bark it grows on. A variety named by Dr. Nylander (in a letter) Lecidea cœsio-pallens, Nyl., is best treated as a distinct variety.

12. Lecidea planella, Nyl. Syn. Lich. Novæ-Caledoniæ, p. 45.

Thallus cinereo-virescens, effusus, tenuissimus vel evanescens, et sæpius vix ullus. Apothecia adpressa vel peltata, albida vel carneo-pallida vel carneo-lutea vel carneo-cinnabarina, sæpius undulato-difformia; margine paulo dilu-tiore, evanescente, (latit. 0.1 mm. ad 0.25 mm.). Sporœ octonæ, uniseriales, incolores, fusiformes, uniseptatæ, longit. 0.008 mm., crassit. 0.002 mm. Para-physes mediocres, apice clavato. Hypothecium incolor.

Ad cortices fruticium et filicium et supra muscos.

Syn. Bœomyces pertenuis, Stirton. Biatora cinnabarina, Bab., Flora N.Z., p. 300.

Thallus ashy green, effuse, very thin, frequently scarcely any. Apothecia appressed or peltate, white or pale fleshy-coloured or fleshy-yellow or fleshy-cinnabar, often undulate and irregular in outline, margin somewhat paler, evanescent, (diameter 0.1. ad 0.25 mm.). Spores 8 in each ascus, in one row, colourless, fusiform, 1-septate, 0.008 millim. long, 0.002 millim. thick. Paraphyses club-shaped, apex nearly as broad as ascus.

On bark of shrubs and ferns, and on mosses.

I have no doubt that this is the Biatora cinnabarina of Babington (Flora N.Z., p. 300), and certainly the Bœomyces pertenuis of Stirton. After examining specimens from Mr. Buchanan's collection, and numerous specimens in my own, I have met with no instance of spores with four cells in one case; there is an appearance of four divisions, but no more than one true septa. The lichen agrees in every particular with Nylander's description. The spores in plate 129 C., Flora N.Z., should be uniseptate.

13. Lecidea plesia, Knight.

Thallus ochroleucus, tenuis, areolo-rimosus. Apothecia nigra, plana, mediocria, elevato-marginata, margine flexuosa vel subanguloso-difformia. Sporœ lineari-clavatæ, 4—5-septatæ, incolores vel diluto-fuscentes, longit. 0.032 mm., crassit. 0.011 mm. Hypothecium nigrum.

Ad saxa.

Thallus pale ochrey colour, thin, divided into areolæ by chinks. Apothecia black, plane, medium size; margin raised, flexuose or subangularly deformed. Spores linear, clavate, 4—5-septate, colourless or pale brown, 0.032 millim. long, 0.011 millim. thick. Hypothecium black.

Differs from L. contigua in colour of thallus and the multilocular, lineari-clavate spores; from L. sabuletorium, whose spores are elongate fusiform.

14. Lecidea allotropa, Nyl.

Thallus continuus, tenuissimus, cineraceus. Apothecia sessilia, planiuscula, demum convexa, immarginata, nigra, sat parva. Sporœ oblongæ, 3-septatæ, longit. 0.015 mm., crassit. 0.006 mm. Stratum hypothecii subhymeniale incolore, stratum inferiore album.

Thallus continuous, very thin, greyish. Apothecia sessile, flat, at length convex, immarginate, black, rather small, spores oblong, 3-septate, 0.015 millim. long, 0.006 mm. thick. Subhymeneal stratum of the hypothecium colourless, the infeirior white.

14.* Pannaria periptera, sp. n.

Thallus monophyllus, plumbeus, orbicularis, e laciniis linearibus ferme adpressis flabelliformibus multifidis radiantibus compositus, centro concreto. Apothecia rubro-fuscentia, plana, margine duplici cincta, (excipulo a thallo crenulo marginato). Sporœ incolores, ellipsoideæ, simplices, longit. 0.013 mm., crassit. 0.0075 mm.

Ad cortices arborum.

Thallus monophyllous, lead colour, round, formed of linear, firmly pressed, fan-shaped, radiating laciniæ, coalesced in centre. Apothecia reddish-brown, flat, bound by double margin—the proper excipulum surrounded by a crenulate thalline margin. Spores colourless, ellipsoid, simple, 0.013 millim. long, 0.0075 mm. thick.

On bark of trees.

Named by Dr. Nylander (in a letter) Coccocarpia periptera. One of the most distinctive characters of the Coccocarpiœ is the adnate, immarginate apothecia; it would, therefore, be unsatisfactory to place among the species of that genus a lichen with two distinct raised margins to the apothecia—a thallodal one enclosing a sharply defined excipulum. It is true that like C. smaragdina the thallus is furnished with gonimia in lieu of gonidia; but

both Pannaria and Coccocarpia agree in that character. As to our lichen being monophyllous, this is a very uncertain and questionable character. Many specimens of it can no more be considered monophyllous than P. rubiginosa, which latter has never been treated as a Coccocarpia, although its close ally C. plumbea, Nyl., is by Nylander. I agree with Dr. Lauder Lindsay that Nylander's arrangement, which separates P. rubiginosa from P. plumbea, is a most artificial and unnatural one (vide Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinb., vol. xxii part 1. p. 256).

15. Lecanora flavo-pallescens, sp. n.

Thallus tenuis, subgranulosus, flavo-albicans, interdum evanescens. Apothecia biatorina, disco fulvo plano tandem tumido, marginem pallidum levem demum excludente. Sporœ simplices, incolores, longit. 0.015 ad 0.02 mm., crassit. 0.01 ad 0.013 mm.

L. flavo-pallescens, Nyl. in litt.

Ad ligna. Grandibus sporis satis dignoscitur.

Thallus thin, subgranular, yellowish-white, sometimes evanescent. Apothecia biatorine, buff or tawny, disk flat, at length tumid, overlapping the pale smooth thalline border. Spores simple, colourless, 0.015 to 0.02 millim. long, 0.013 millim. thick. Closely allied to L. varia, if not a variety. The specimens with tumid apothecia resemble L. symmetrica, but differ from it and from all varieties of L. varia in the smooth thalline border of the apothecia, and especially in the much larger size of the spores, which in none of the varieties of L. varia in Leighton, Schœrer, and several German collections that I have examined, exceed 0.011 mm. in length. L. varia is a most polymorphous species. The numerous varieties may be arranged in four sets.

16. Lecanora thiomela, Nyl.

Thallus crustaceus, citrinus, areolatus, areolis hypothallum fuscum obtegentibus, linea fusca limitatus. Apothecia minuta, cupulæformia, marginata, nigra, margine thallino citrino cincta. Sporœ fuscentes, ellipsoideæ, uni-septatæ,

longit. 0.017 mm., crassit. 0.01 mm.

Ad saxa.

Thallus crustaceous, citrine, areolate, areolæ covering the brown hypothallus, bordered by a dark line. Apothecia minute, black, bound by a citrine-coloured thalline margin. Spores brown, ellipsoid, 1-septate, 0.017 millim. long, 0.01 millim. thick.

17. Ascidium melanosporum, sp. n.

Thallus crustaceus, verrucosus, eborinus. Apothecium hemisphericum, apice depresso-umbilicatum. Perithecium nigrum, globosum, apice poro pertusum. Nucleus paraphysibus tenuibus farctus. Thecæ mono-sporæ. Spora magna, fusiformis, multicellulosa vel muricata, demum fusca, opaca, longit. 0.18 ad 0.25 mm., crassit. 0.065 ad 0.09 mm.

Ad corticem arborum.

Thallus crustaceous, verrucose, cream-coloured. Apothecium hemispherical, depressed at the apex. Perithecium black, globose, opened by a pore at the apex. Nucleus with slender paraphysis. Theca 1-spored. Spore large, fusiform, many-celled or muricated, at length brown, opaque, 0.18 to 0.25 millim. long, 0.065 to 0.09 millim. thick.

On bark of trees.

Differs from A. domingense and A. cinchonarum, in the spores being irregularly cellular, much broader, and at length quite opaque. (Vide Tab. 1, fig. 20, Nyl. Prod. Flores Novo-Granatensis, Lichenes.)

18. Melaspilea metabola Nyl. Lich. Novæ Caledoniæ, p. 69.

Thallus cinereus, diffracto-rimosus vel areolatus, tenuissimus. Apothecia nigra vel fusca, mediocria, rotundato-lecideoidea (juniora punctiformia), convexa, immarginata, intus pallido-incoloria. Sporœ incolores, cylindraceæ, inferne magis attenuatæ et curvatulæ (sæpe in capillam productæ), murali-divisæ, longit. 0.075 ad 0.1 mm., crassit. 0.01 mm.

Ad cortices arborum.

Thallus ashy, cracked or areolate, very thin. Apothecia black or brown, medium size, rotundato-lecideoid—younger mere spots—convex, immarginate, pale within. Spores colourless, cylindrical, curved, attenuated below, often terminating in a hair, muriculate, 0.075 to 0.1 millim. long, 0.01 millim. thick.

On bark.

19. Squamaria perrugosa, Nyl.

Thallus cinereo-fuscus vel cinereo-rufescens, adpressus, tesselato-areolatus, areolis in centro depressis, versus peripheriam laciniato-divisus, laciniis pterygioideo-expansis. Cephalodia cerina vel ochraceo-rufescentia, demum in radios fissa. Apothecia ochro-badia, concava; excipulum proprium marginem

thallinum cinctum. Sporœ uniseriales, incolores, ellipsoideæ, simplices evl perrarò biloculares, longit. 0.013 mm., crassit. 0.008 mm.

Ad saxa.

Thallus ashy-brown or ashy-red, closely adhering to matrix, tesselato-areolate, areolæ depressed in centre, divided towards circumference into laciniæ, laciniæ expanded, wing-like. Cephalodia dull yellow or yellowish-red, at length split into rays. Apothecia yellowish-brown, concave. Proper excipulum surrounded by thalline border. Spores in a single row, colourless, ellipsoid, simple, or very rarely 2-celled, 0.013 millim. long, 0.008 millim. thick.

Syn. Squamaria thaumasta, Stirton.

Section of apothecium shows the proper excipulum of a pale colour, bound by a thalline border.

20. Squamaria perrugosa, Nyl., var. neglecta, Knight.

Thallus cinereo-albescens, granulato-verrucosus, crustaceo-adnatus, centro confusus, versus peripheriam lobulo-crenatus vel pterygioideo-expansus. Apothecia, rosea, farinosa, margine thallino crasso, tumido, farinoso, obsolete crenato cincta. Cephalodia convexa, irregulariter fissa. Asci prælongi, angusti. Sporœ uniseriales, octonæ, ellipsoideæ, simplices, pellucidæ, longit. 0.027 mm., crassit. 0.013 mm.

Ad saxa.

Similis L. perrugosœ, sed sporis subgrandibus facile ab eo distinguitur.

Thallus greyish-white, granulate with warts, closely attached to matrix, centre confused, towards circumference lobulato-crenate, or outspread wing-like. Apothecia rose-coloured, farinaceous, bordered by a thick, swollen, obsoletely crenate margin. Cephalodia convex, irregularly split. Asci very long and narrow. Spores in one row, ellipsoid, simple, pellucid, 0.027 millim. long, 0.013 mm. thick.

On rocks.

Differs from the typical form in the larger size of the spores, and the characters of the thallus.

Lecidea campylospora, Stirton, is the Lecanora taitensis, Mont., as determined for me some years since by Dr. Nylander.

Lecidea maculosa, Stirton, is the L. leucoplaca, Chev.; L. premnea, Fries.; L. grossa, Nyl. in litt.; L. melastegia, Nyl. Leighton's Exs. 90 ! 125 !

Melaspilea amphorodes, Stirton, is the M. metabola, Nyl. Syn. Lich. Nov. Cal. p. 69.

Lecidea (Lecanora?) implicata, Stirton, is the Lecanora thelotremoides, Nyl. in litt.

Astrothlium prostratum, Stirton, is the A. ochrocleistum, Nyl. in litt.

Note.—In reference to Dr. Stirton's description of certain New Zealand lichens, published in the Transactions of last year, page 235, I find that the Bœomyces pertenuis, Stirton, is the Lecidea planella, Nyl., described in Dr. Nylander's Synopsis Lichenum Novæ Caledoniæ, p. 45.

Psoroma implexa, Stirton, is the P. sphinctrina var. pholidotoides, Nyl. Journ. Linn. Soc. p. 244. A careful examination of specimens of Dr. Stirton's lichen in the collection of Mr. Buchanan discloses no difference between them and Dr. Nylander's description. It grows on bark or trees, not on rocks as (inadvertently?) stated in Dr. Stirton's description. It is to be observed that the same specimen may exhibit here and there simply a broad black boundary line, and in other parts coarse black dendritic radiating fringe.

Psoroma arthrophyllum, Stirton. This is a coarse variety of P. subpruinosum, Nyl. Like many common lichens the P. subprinosum has many varieties. They all agree in one respect—their spores are spherical or oval, with no tendency to be pointed at the ends. In the same ascus are often found both descriptions of spores intermixed. In such instances it may be that the spherical appearance is due to the spore lying transversely in the ascus, when it would be seen “end on,"—but I am not sure that such is ever the case.

Squamaria thaumasta, Stirton. This is the Sq. perrugosa, Nyl., of which a full and excellent description is given by Dr. Nylander in the Linnean Journal above quoted. The scales of the thallus instead of being umbate are most frequently somewhat depressed in the centre. The spores are strictly uniserial and simple. Very rarely an uniseptate spore may be met with. This lichen is closely allied to Sq. gelida, Linn.

These and most other lichens cannot be satisfactorily studied without the aid of a microscope. The dimensions and figure of the spores, the distinction between gonidia and gonimia of Nylander, and other differences, can only be determined by a good microscope. Dr. Hooker in the Handbook of the N.Z. Flora, especially alludes to the excellent specific characters afforded by the spores, but it would, he adds, take many months of microscopic study to ascertain accurately the size of the spores of New Zealand lichens. He has in numerous instances given references to Dr. Nylander's works where the dimensions are given. I have taken the measurements of the spores of most of the New Zealand lichens, and find them to agree with those stated by Dr. Nylander in his work on the Lichens of Scandinavia.

Description of Plate XXIII.

3* Lecidea myriocarpa, DC. Section of portion of thallus with apothecia. a, Section of hymenium with ascus and paraphyses. b, 1-septate spore.

Art. LIV.—Description of a new Lichen (Stereocaulon buchanani).

By James Stirton, M.D. ^*

Notes on Stereocaulon buchanani, Stirton.

By Charles Knight, F.R.C.S., F.L.S.

The valuable report of Dr. Stirton on Buchanan's plant has been brought

Art. LV.—On the Occurrence of Hæmatoccus sanguineus on the Wool of
a dead Sheep.

By Swen Berggren, Ph. D., Lund University. Communicated

by Julius Haast, Ph. D., F.R.S.

Art. LVI.—On some of the Naturalized Plants of Otago.

By G. M. Thomson.

• (a.) Horticultural. (Hor.) Escapes from, or remains of gardens.

• (b.) Agricultural. (Agri.) Escapes from, or remains of field cultivation.

• (c.) Accidentally. (Acc.) Introduced by animals, or unintentionally by man's agency.

• (d.) Uncertain. (Unc.)

List of Naturalized Plants found in Otago.

Ranunculaceæ.

Berberidaceæ.

Papaveraceæ.

• 4. Papaver rhoeas, (L.) Acc. In one or two spots in cultivated land, and near Dunedin in gardens.

Fumariaceæ.

Cruciferæ.

Resedaceæ.

Violaceæ.

Caryophyllaceæ.

Geraniaceæ.

Linaceæ

Leguminosæ.

Rosaceæ

Grossulariaceæ.

Umbelliferæ.

Caprifoliaceæ.

Rubiaceæ.

Dipsacaceæ.

Compositæ.

Convolvulaceæ.

Boraginaceæ.

Scrophulariaceæ.

Labiatæ.

Primulaceæ.

Plantaginaceæ.

Polygonaceæ.

Euphorbiaceæ.

Urticaceæ.

Gramineæ.

The foregoing comprise all the naturalized plants as yet collected by me. There are still, however, a great many introduced grasses, and I have never examined the littoral and aquatic floras, so that no doubt the above list would

Art. LVII.—On Mottled Kauri.

By James Stewart, C.E.

Art. LVIII.—Description of a new Species of Isoëtes.—

By T. Kirk, F.L.S.