(Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 13th February, 1885.)

Class I. Dicotyledons.
Order I.*^∗ Ranunculaceæ

Genus 2. Hoheria, A. Cunn

1. Hoheria sexstylosa, sp. nov.

Tree erect, 12–14 feet, fastigiate, much branched; bark scaly with many small cracks and a whitish epidermis; branches long, slender, glabrous, roughish, bark dark reddish-brown; branchlets puberulous, with star-like pubescence. Leaves rather distant, glabrous, very variable in size and shape, mostly, however, lanceolate on the main and flowering branches, 2–2 ¾ inches long, acuminate, sometimes truncated at tips, cuneate, very finely reticulated and dotted, sub-membranaceous, light green above and lighter green below, sharply and deeply serrate, teeth acute; petioles ½ inch, flat above, and (with peduncles and calyces) thickly clothed with star-like pubescence. Flowers numerous, white, 1 inch and more in diameter, axillary and lateral, fascicled, mostly 3–4 together, sometimes 2, and also only 1; peduncles ¾ inch, jointed about the middle; calyx cup-shaped, 5-lobed, lobes large, deltoid-acuminate, acute with a knob at tips, 3-nerved, purplish-green; petals 5, connate at base, oblong, 7 lines long, 3 lines wide, oblique, obtuse, each petal deeply one-notched on the right side near tip, veined, glabrous, hairy within near base, spreading, incurved; filaments 5-adelphous, spreading, 2 lines long; anthers (filaments and styles) white, reniform, sub-versatile; styles 6–7, stout, flexuous, shaggy; stigmas capitate, large, flattish at top, papillose, slightly coloured, yellowish; ovary included sunk, 6–7 ridged, pubescent.

Hab. Skirts of woods and thickets, Norsewood, Matamau, and Tahoraiti, County of Waipawa; 1883–84: W.C. Flowering in March and April.

Obs. No two trees can be more unlike in their foliage than this is in its young and in its mature state; and not only so, but the same tree in the leaves on its older and flowering branches, and in those on its younger and lower branches; these latter, like those on the young trees, are under an inch long, rhomboid, trilobed, sub-orbicular, etc., but always deeply serrate and sub-fascicled, generally four together and all of various sizes. On the flowering branches also, the lowest leaves are invariably small. I have long known this plant in its young and leafing state, and had always supposed it to be a variety of Plagianthus betulinus, A. Cunn., which it much resembles. When in flower it has a striking and elegant appearance, and it remains a long time in full blossom; it will make a handsome garden tree or tall shrub. Not unfrequently 5–6, or more, standards rise from the one root, all about the same size, forming a little compact clump. The bark of the older trees is often completely covered with handsome crustaceous lichens.

Genus 1. Hydrocotyle, Linn

1. Hydrocotyle concinna, sp. nov.

Plant creeping, slender, pilose, soft, forming dense beds. Stems 2–3 feet (and more) long, rooting at nodes. Leaves membranaceous, green, distant, generally 1, sometimes 2, springing from a node, sub-orbicular, 8–10 lines diameter, roughish above with glandular pubescence of large flattish white and pink hairs, with a few larger and pink coloured ones scattered on the veins, deeply 5-lobed, lobes regular, broadest at apices, sub-tri-laciniate and sharply toothed, teeth long and curved; petioles 3 inches long, slender, finely striate; stipules large, broadly ovate, laciniate. Peduncles axillary and lateral (from nodes), erect, slender, much longer than the leaves, 4–6 inches long, pink-striped, thickly clothed with weak curved hairs; umbels 20–22-flowered; flowers radiate on long glabrous pedicels sub 2 lines long, each bearing a few scattered erect hairs and mostly in a single line; involucral leaves and bracteoles numerous, ovate-linear, laciniate and pointed; flowers greenish-white tinged with pink, red-striped on the outside; petals ovate, obtuse, spreading; calyx tube raised, tuberculate, dark-red; styles diverging, sub-clavate; stigmas capitate, red, minutely pencilled. Fruit orbicular, at first semi-transparent, echinate, light brown, carpels with one rib on each face.

Hab. In dense rather dry forests, on the ground. Seventy-mile Bush, County of Waipawa; 1878–84: W.C. Flowering in March.

Obs. This is a truely graceful species, neat, pretty, and uniform in all its parts. I have long known it, and though I had early considered it to be new, and often brought away specimens, I never found time to dissect, examine and compare it, until the autumn of 1884, when I did so leisurely in its native forests. Sometimes the young immature and unfolded leaves present a highly curious appearance; sessile at the nodes in small globular woolly masses, with their green cut and plaited margins fringing their tops; reminding one of young hazel-nuts. I believe it to be the work of some insect, having found the darkish-yellow larvæ snugly ensconced within.

2. Hydrocotyle uniflora, sp. nov.

Stems creeping, rooting at nodes, whence also spring the leaves and peduncles fascicled. Leaves glabrous, entire, orbicular-truncate, or oblong-orbicular, always truncate at base, 5–7 lines long, rounded at apex, finely and regularly crenately toothed (3–4) towards base, and often with one small acute tooth at or below the two corners, 5-nerved, green, often purple above and covered with very minute white dots as if stippled margins purple, sometimes largely and loosely hairy below at base and on the nerves, veinlets

closely anastomosing; petioles 1 ½–3 inches long; stipules large, membranous, veined, entire. Peduncle 1–1 ½ inches long, slender (two are often united below near base, and thus become bi-peduncled), sometimes largely pilose. Involucral leaves two, sub-orbicular or orbicular-ovate, sessile and half-clasping, glabrous, veined, purple stained or margined, very membranous. Flowers single, sessile (rarely two together, and when so then one is shortly pedicelled), petals rather large, ovate, sub-acute, purple, reflexed. Fruit large, sub-orbicular, compressed, 2 lines diameter, obsoletely 3–4-ribbed, tops purplish with a few loosely scattered hairs.

Hab. Wet sides of slopes, gullies near Norsewood, County of Waipawa; 1884: W.C. But not common.

Obs. A species having pretty close affinity with H. asiatica, Linn., but differing in several particulars.

3. Hydrocotyle intermixta, sp. nov.

Plant very small; stems short, creeping and rooting interlaced underground. Leaves orbicular with a narrow deep sinus, 3–4 lines diameter, thickish, much veined, dark green, sparsely pilose on both sides with long succulent scattered hairs, 5–6-lobed, lobes short, broad, sub-tri-laciniate, cut, obtuse; petioles 4–5 lines long; stipules delicately membranous, reticulated, sharply laciniate. Flowers in small globose heads, 9–10 (sub 12), minute, red, sessile, petals incurved, obtuse; styles short; peduncles 7–8 lines long, erect, striate; involucral leaves small, obovate, obtuse. Fruit very small, shortly pedicelled, glabrous, turgid, broader above than below, shining, dark brown; carpels sharply keeled on back, 1 rib on each face, and a deep hollow between the two lateral ridges.

Hab. On dry open hills near Matamau, Seventy-mile Bush, County of Waipawa; forming thick little patches among short grasses and mosses, and other small plants, scarcely visible without close search; 1880–84: W.C.

Genus 2. Panax, Linn

1. Panax microphylla, Col.*^∗

Flowers axillary, in 2–4 small umbellate panicles, conjoined at base and wearing a fascicled appearance, each sub-panicle containing 2–4 flowers—in all 3–14, small and inconspicuous, 1 ½ lines diameter, pedicelled, each pedicel surrounded by many minute stipellæ; petals broadly ovate, sub-acute, darkish-red on the outside greenish-red within, spreading, slightly recurved, deciduous; calycine teeth minute, acute, purple; filaments short,

alternate with petals; anthers sub-orbicular, bright yellow; disk green, convex; styles long, divergent, recurved, stout, obtuse, arising from an elevated base; stigmas slightly pencilled, purple.

Obs. Flowering in February. Each panicle almost invariably bears one large fruit before the other flowers are open. I have recently detected some larger shrubs, in those same localities, 5–7 feet high.

Genus 1. Loranthus, Linn

1. Loranthus polychroa, sp. nov.

A glabrous spreading shrub of irregular horizontal growth; branches extending 2–3 feet. Leaves 2–2 ½ inches long, 7–10 lines broad, narrow-oblong and oblong-lanceolate, very obtuse and rounded at apex, sometimes (rarely) apiculate, tapering at base and narrowed into a rather long petiole 4–6 lines long, coriaceous, sub-glaucous-green, veins obscure when fresh, very apparent in dried leaves, 5–7 diverging from near base, margins thickened, sub-revolute, coloured red, and regularly and finely tuberculated. Racemes erect, about 1 inch long, 12–16-flowered; peduncle quadrangular, stout, tapering; pedicels decussate 2 lines long; flowers bright orange-red, 7–8 lines long; corolla slender, straight, swollen about the middle at base of filaments; petals linear-spathulate, sub-acute, longer than anthers, combined to below the middle, recurved and appressed from middle, darkish-coloured on outside at tips; anthers linear; style filiform longer than anthers; stigma dark red, globular, finely papillose; calyx rather deep, margin uniform, even; tube cylindrical, oblong, length of pedicel.

Hab. Parasitical and high up on trunks of Fagus solandri; woods near Norsewood, County of Waipawa, but scarce; March, 1884: W.C. Specimens, flowers, and leaves picked up.

Obs. A species near to L. flavidus, Hook. fil., yet distinct (vide descript. supra), as well as from the many other described species (nearly 200!) of this large genus.

Genus 1. Alseuosmia, A. Cunn

1. Alseuosmia pusilla, sp. nov.

A small glabrous shrub, 5–8 (rarely 10) inches high, erect, simple, sometimes bearing 2–3 very short branches, and also other plants once forked from the base.

Leaves few, 8–12, distant, spreading, petiolate, 1–2 ½ inches long, oblong and obovate-lanceolate, obtuse with a small mucro, with 3–6 minute and fine distant teeth, sometimes quite entire, sub-coriaceous, green splashed and spotted with red, obsoletely veined, margins red; petioles 3–4 lines long, rather stout. Flowers few, scattered, single, lateral from near base or

near top, rarely axillary, drooping; peduncle stout, glabrous, spotted and striped with red (also the calyx and corolla without), bearing two small alternate bracts, and 3–4 red bracts together at the base with red spreading hairs within; calyx glabrous, 5-lobed, lobes deltoid acute; corolla 4–5 lines long, 5-lobed, lobes thickish, revolute, of a light straw or pale primrose colour, velvety, not veined, sides ruguloso-fimbriate to base, each lobe bearing 3–4 rather long cylindrical white obtuse fimbriæ at tip; anthers large, orbicular, 2-lobed, lobes turgid, shorter than corolla-tube, and longer than the style; stigma large, globose. Berry large, 8–9 lines long, ellipsoid, thickest at apex, succulent, smooth, shining, bright red, containing 9 (or more) dark brown seeds, 2 lines long, oblong, slightly curved and obtusely angled, finely striate, shining.

Hab. In shady forests near Norsewood, County of Waipawa; 1884: W.C.

Obs. I. The unexpected discovery of this little shrub pleased me much: (1) from the genus being very scarce in this part of the island, though common in the woods at the north (Bay of Islands, etc.); I had only once before (in 1848) fallen in with a species*^∗ so far south, and then only in one spot, in the dense forest between the rivers Manawatu and Ruamahanga: (2) from the distinctness of this species: (3) from the small size of the shrub—a little erect hard-wooded tree in miniature; and (4) from its very large and bright red fruit (which indeed was the cause of my detecting it, hidden among the dense undergrowth of ferns and small herbaceous plants); it bears the largest berry of the known species of the genus.

Obs. II. I brought away living four shrubs, each 5–6 inches high; and planted them here at Napier in a large flowerpot. These are all healthy, and are now flowering (September), although they have not yet fully evolved a leaf; some of the flowers are about 1–2 inches from the base, and all from old wood. From its delicious odour (common to the genus) this species being so small will make a suitable pot plant.

Genus 1. Olearia, Mœnch

1. Olearia multibracteolata, sp. nov.

A shrub about 6–7 feet high of dense foliage and thick compact growth; “bark on trunk rough grey and somewhat scaly, wood hard, and leaves in age acquiring a brown colour.” Branchlets long slender, dark brown, sulcated, villous with brown and grey pubescence. Leaves 1–2 ½ inches long, ½–¾ inch wide (decreasing in size towards ends of branches), linear-oblong, obtuse with a tooth, alternate, distant, coriaceous, incurved, deeply

Hab. Damp cliffy clayey sides of the River Mangatawhainui (a feeder of the River Manawatu) near Norsewood, County of Waipawa; 1883: W.C. Flowering in December, with the dead leaves and flowering panicles of the former year still strongly adhering.

Obs. A species allied to G. lyallii, trinerve, and keriense. From its diffuse flourishing growth, peculiar habit, and numerous heads of pure white flowers, this plant looks exceedingly well in its native home. It clings strongly to the cliffs, like ivy, only its rootlets are very much longer, extending some inches each way.

2. Gnaphalium sub-rigidum, sp. nov.

Plant bushy, loosely spreading; stems many from one root, woody, ascending, very slender, 12–20 inches long, 1–1 ½ lines diameter, of uniform thickness, brittle, branched and naked below, simple and leafy above, scarred throughout; bark dark brown. Leaves rather closely-set, scattered or somewhat whorled, patent, sub-coriaceous, linear, 8–12 lines long, 1–1 ¼ lines broad, sub-acute and apiculate, flat, sessile and half-clasping, glabrous, shining and reddish above, white and cottony below; margins entire, recurved, very thick and shining; midrib stout and prominent below; veinlets anastomosing. Heads of flowers white, numerous, 10–20 at tips of branches, in lax sub-fascicled corymbs, on slender nodding white and cottony peduncles and pedicels of various lengths 3–9 lines long, some 1-, others 2- and 3-flowered, all with long foliaceous narrow bracts, often each pedicel is bi-bracteolate; heads ½-inch diameter; involucral scales white and spreading, oblong, obtuse, rarely notched at tips, margins entire, claw short, greenish-brown, glabrous; florets very numerous, at first yellow, afterwards with a dull reddish tinge; receptacle flat with a raised flat centre, densely and minutely rugged; pappus few, very slender, weak, slightly scabrid and jointed. Achene short, linear, sub-acute at tip, glabrous.

Hab. Dry hilly country west side of Ruataniwha Plains, County of Waipawa; 1884: Mr. H. Hill. Flowering in September.

Obs. A species pretty near to G. keriense, A. Cunn., var. linifolia, J. D. Hooker.

Genus 4. Gratiola, Linn

1. Gratiola glandulifera, sp. nov.

Plant creeping at root, glabrous, stems erect and ascending, 6–12 inches high, simple and branched, stout, semi-succulent, sub-quadrangular, obtusely-angled, deeply channelled on two sides, purple-red, with a few weak and short scattered hairs. Leaves ovate, 4–6 lines long, 2–3 lines wide, obtuse, sessile, half-clasping, thickish, 3-nerved, serrate, sub 6 (generally 4) teeth, teeth and tip dark purple. Flowers few, axillary, solitary,

Obs. I. This species has close affinity with O. macrophylla, Hook., but differs from it in several particulars; the sepals are narrower longer glabrous and coloured, and only 1-nerved; the corolla is coloured within and there clothed with densely glandular pubescence, and the tube is much shorter, and in the venation of the limb, which is also larger, the angles are rounded at apices, and not acute as in that species, and the pedicels are densely glandular-hairy: the leaves also are different, both in their shape and in their curious little gland-like openings or depressions on their margins; and the scape is very much stouter and 7-angled, with its lower floral leaves much more numerous, larger and petiolate.

Obs. II. From Sir J. D. Hooker's “note”*^∗ on an imperfect specimen of Ourisia of possibly an additional species allied to O. macrophylla which I had early “gathered near Taupo;” I am of opinion that this may very likely be identical with that plant.

Genus 1. Fagus, Linn

1. Fagus apiculata, Col.^†† (Fruit.)

Fruiting involucre or cupule, green, ovate, obtuse, 4 lines long, 3- (sometimes 4-) sided, with four imbricated tomentose ovate scales on each side, edges scarious and brown, shortly pedicelled, pedicels pilose; nuts 2–3, broadly ovate, sparsely pilose, outer one (or two) sharply ridged down the centre on one side, inner (or middle) one flat, thin, sub-erose at edges above, tips deeply bifid; styles persistent.

Genus 10. Microtis, Banks and Solander

1. Microtis longifolia, sp. nov.

Plant variable in size, and in the number of its flowers; tall, erect, 1 foot 3 inches to 2 feet 3 inches high; leaf solitary terete tubular, with 3 longitudinal furrows from base to tip, 2–3 inches longer than scape, and on open oppressed bract at base 1–2 inches long. Scape stout, 2–3 lines diameter, cylindrical below sub-angular above; raceme 3–6 inches long, many flowered (25–40), flowers pedicelled, small, distant, 2–6 lines apart; bracts 2 lines long, broadly ovate-acuminate, transversely rugulose and decurrent; upper sepal boat-shaped, sub-cucullate, acute; lower pair largely divergent sub-revolute, obtuse; petals free, recurved, obtuse; lip oblong, laciniate or sub-lobed, much crisped at margins; tip broad and bifid; the two lumps at base very large, dark green, smooth and shining; the lump near tip tuberculate or crisped, commonly in two ridges; ovarium stout, 3 lines long, finely papillose, flat beneath, very turgid and gibbous above.

Obs. I have both sought and watched this plant very closely; from the fact of its widely different general appearance at all stages from T. nemoralis, and yet, on examination and dissection, I find it possessing such scanty differential characters; the principal ones consisting in its plumose staminodia rising above the tip of the column—its narrower and variegated sepals—its slenderer proportions, dusky aspect and fewer flowers. In all these however it is very uniform; as I have seen and examined (through patiently waiting for their development) some scores of flowers and plants. It has also a peculiar habit of growth, being often found in little clumps (like crocuses and jonquils), from which arise 6–12 scapes. It wears a very striking and elegant appearance, when its dark perianths with their segments edged with white are about expanding, from their contrasts in colour. Notwithstanding the column-appendages being produced beyond its tip, while in T. nemoralis they are below it, this species is naturally very closely allied to that one.

Genus 2. Callixene, Comm

1. Callixene melantha, sp. nov.

Perianth darkish-green, 1 ¼ inches diameter; segments obtuse, 3 outer ovate-acuminate, thickish, obsoletely veined longitudinally; 3 inner narrower and thinner, broadly-linear, incurved, venation netted; filaments brown, stout, broad at base, longer than anthers; anthers bright yellow, sub-linear-ovate, 3 lines long, tips emarginate, base sagittate, extrorse; style brown, sub-angular, tapering; stigma ochraceous, small, papillose.

Hab. East sides of Ruahine mountain range, County of Waipawa; 1883: Mr. Hamilton.

Obs. I. The anthers and stigma of this species more closely resemble those of C. polyphylla (a South Chilian plant) than they do those of C. parviflora, the only known New Zealand species.

Obs. II. I have received but a single unexpanded flower! all that was by chance obtained; fortunately it was mature, uninjured, and fresh. It appears that Mr. Hamilton, on his return from the forests, was clearing out some mosses, leaves, etc., from the outer pockets of his coat, and found among them this one flower-bud (alabastrum), and kindly gave it to me. For some time it puzzled me, its dark green colour, so unlike that of a flower, and its being closely shut up, helped to disguise it; it more resembled a caper bud than anything else; but on soaking, dissection, etc., I found out what it was, and believe it will prove to be a new species of Callixene. It is allied to C. parviflora, which bears a much smaller and white flower and has a very different stigma; this latter, however, grows on the same range at a much higher altitude.

shaped, spreading, orange-coloured with dark margins; lobes very obtuse; 8 seeds in each berry; seeds black, smooth, shining, gibbous, curved, 1–1 ½ lines long, sharply and obsoletely and variously angled.

Obs. The coloured thick and spreading calyx of this species when the fruit is ripe has a very peculiar and novel appearance.

Genus 1. Juncus, Linn

1. Juncus macrostigma, sp. nov.

Plant large, loosely cæspitose in rather small isolated clumps, erect, dull green, sub-glaucescent, glabrous but not shining. Culms 3–5 feet high, cylindrical, stout, ¼-inch diameter, tips acuminate and sharp, very finely striate, pith continuous, each culm with several (4–5) membranaceous sheaths at the base, outer ones very small, innermost 8–10 inches long, appressed, very obtuse with a long hair-like mucro 2–3 lines long, sulcate, pale green above dark brown below; flowers lateral, numerous, pale, pedicelled and sessile, in close cymose heads and in sub-panicles on long sub-compressed and rigid peduncles, generally 3–4 main ones, one being much longer (2–3 inches) than the rest; bracts long, awned; bracteoles numerous, short, broadly obovate, sub-acute, sometimes acuminate, clasping, rugulose, pale; perianth lobes acute sub-acuminate, pale green with white membranous margins; stamens 6, anthers bright yellow; style short, distinct; stigmas 3, very long, stout, erect, twisted, spiral, plumose, light reddish-pink; capsule ovoid, pale, reddish at tips, shining, longer than perianth; seeds numerous, small, brown, turgid, oblong, irregular in shape, somewhat sub-lunate and gibbous, very finely striate and reticulated, testa produced at each end.

Hab. Sides of water-courses, Seventy-mile Bush, between Norsewood and Matamau, County of Waipawa; 1882: W.C. With other Junci, but not like them plentiful; flowering January and February.

Obs. In the flowering season its head of flowers presents a striking and pretty appearance, from their large and coloured pink stigmas and bright yellow anthers; very different from all our other Junci. Its affinity is, I think, with J. vaginatus, Br., and J. pseudo-cyperus, Linn.

Genus 13. Uncinia, Persoon

1. Uncinia nigra, sp. nov.

Plant large, densely cæspitose. Culms stout, erect, 3 feet long, triquetrous, smooth. Leaves of equal length, ¼ inch wide, squarrose, very acuminate with hair-like tips, many nerved, margins finely and closely serrulate, glabrous below, scaberulous on upper surface, keeled, generally 4 leaves on a culm, sheathing below 6–12 inches from base; colour light

green, brown towards base; spurious ligula bi-lunate or kidney-form. Spikelet 6 inches long, slender, upper portion 1 ½–1 ¾ inches male, bracts (often 3) leaf-like, long, outer 12–16 inches long 1 line wide, very filiform at tips, scabrid, crumpled towards top, fugacious; utricles decussate, distant on rhachis about 1 line apart, squarrose, black, 2 ½ lines long, spindle-shaped, truncate and striped at base, acuminate, shining; bristle 3 ½ lines long from tip of utricle, greenish; hook long, light brown, thickened and black at curve; glume narrow, narrower than utricle, linear-ovate-acuminate, 5 ½ lines long, obtuse, glabrous, shining, light brown with a thick central nerve, tri-nerved at base, fugacious; stigmas long, slender.

Hab. Skirts of low woods near Norsewood, County of Waipawa; March, 1884: W.C.

Obs. This plant wears a striking appearance when its fruit is ripe, widely different to that of its ripening state; for the light-coloured and long glumes having fallen away, the black and distant utricles stand out patent on the rhachis, which, in clear tranquil and undisturbed situations, arrests the eye immediately from their extreme novelty. The fruits, however, fall off at a very slight touch, often clinging disagreeably by their hooks to clothing, hair, etc.

Genus 14. Carex, Linn

1. Carex quadrangulata, sp. nov.

Plant large, tufted, diffuse, dark green. Culms rather slender, 3 feet 6 inches long, drooping, smooth, glossy and finely striate, trigonous but 4-angled owing to the lower angle being double or channelled throughout, and scaberulous on both edges. Leaves shorter than culms, 2 feet 6 inches long, ¼ inch wide, channelled, linear, acuminate, margins and upper surface finely scabrid, keeled, keel scaberulous. Spikelets few, under 1 inch long, the lower 2 single, distantly spiked along the culm, the upper and terminal one a short compound panicle, bearing the male spike at top, slender, 1 inch long; peduncles 3, 1 ½–2 inches long, erect and nodding, filiform, compressed, scabrid, with 2 small adpressed sheathing brown bracteoles; the 2 lower bracts very long, 12–15 inches, foliaceous, sheathing, with a small transverse scarious bracteole below aperture of sheath on the outside. Glumes as long as the utricles, broadly ovate, bicuspidate, awned with a stout central nerve, membranous at margins, light coloured minutely striped with red. Utricles short, about 1 line long, broadly ovate, turgid above, flattish beneath, bicuspid, scabrous on both margins near tip, glabrous, shining, dark brown. Stigmas 3.

Hab. Sides of water pools, open parts of the forest, Norsewood, County of Waipawa; 1884: W.C.

Genus 5. Hymenophyllum, Smith

1. Hymenophyllum melanocheilos, sp. nov.

Plant very small, creeping, glabrous, very thin, light green, cellules large; rhizome filiform. Fronds rather distant on rhizome, upright, simple and bifid, elliptic, linear and spathulate, obtuse, ¼–¾ inch high, about 1 line wide, margins often thickened, black and shining; laciniate-serrate, serratures distant, sometimes dark and rigid, and shining like margins; midrib thick, glossy, dark like stipe, no lateral veins; stipe short, 1–2 lines long, not winged, glabrous, dark brown. Involucre single at tip of frond, elliptic, free, less than 1 line long, flattish, slightly convex; valves free to base, margins entire, black bordered; borders shining; receptacle included; sori few, large.

Hab. Woods, Whangaroa, County of Mongonui; 1884: Mr. R. W. Rowson.

Obs. A very peculiar little species, and one of the smallest known of the genus. Its affinity is with H. marginatum, Hook. and Grev., of Port Jackson, Australia (a scarce and little-known fern), from which species, however, it is very distinct. It has also some affinity with H. parvifolium, Baker, an East-Indian fern of about the same size, but is, also, quite distinct.

2. H. lophocarpum, sp. nov.

A climbing fern, mostly pendulous from upper parts of trees. Rhizome creeping, long, branched, hairy. Fronds rather distant on rhizome, glabrous, spreading, flat and slightly waved, transparent, light green when young darker in age, elastic and curled up when dry, rhombic- or ovate-acuminate, apical portion often narrow-elongate, usually dimidiate at base, 2 ¼–4 inches long, twice the length of stipe, 3-pinnatifid; pinnæ alternate, sometimes very close and sub-imbricate, the lowest pinna solitary and very short; rhachises, main and secondary, dark, flexuose, finely tuberculate and striate, winged; wing wide and mostly waved; secondary segments, sub-flabellate, not branched on the lower or outer side; veins dark; ultimate segments or lobes rather long, linear, obtuse, apices rounded, nerves green not extending to margin; margins entire; cellules large, of various shapes and sizes, mostly sub-orbicular and oblong. Stipe stout, 1–1 ½ inch long, blackish, shining, striate, roughish, narrowly winged to base, and (with rhachis) slightly hairy (very hairy when young); hairs scattered, long, brownish, tortuous, jointed and transparent. Involucres free, large, sub-orbicular, loose, rumpled or bladdery, wider than lobes, turgid, much larger than sori, confined to upper portion of frond

that, but it is also thinner, and sori smaller often oblong and less prominent, more hairy on both surfaces, and stellate hairs with a larger number of rays; the copious scales too are different. When I first detected this plant in the woods on the East Coast in 1846, I noticed only a few specimens, and I thought it was only a “sport” of P. rupestre; but where I lately found it, it was very plentiful.

Genus 41. Bartramia, Hedwig

1. Bartramia readeriana, sp. nov.

Stems densely tufted, tall, robust, ascending, ⅓-inch diameter, 1 ½–3 ½ inches long, vaguely dichotomously branched, thickly tomentose with red branched and implexed tomentum; branches above fascicled, strict, almost glabrous, red. Leaves spreading (some are truly divaricating, at first spreading then bent downwards), pale yellow-green, shining, with a short sheathing base, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, gradually narrowed into a very long hair-like point, serrulate to tips, plaited, minutely papillose, twisted (to the right) when dry contorted; nerve slender, percurrent; cells dense, linear, the marginal at the base larger oblong and translucent; perichætial leaves broader with lax cells. Fruitstalk 1–1 ½ inches high, erect, red, shining. Capsule large, inclined or horizontal, ovoid, grooved when dry; operculum convex, apiculate; teeth red; spores very minute. Calyptra 2 lines long, narrow, blackish at tip, apiculate. Inflorescence diœcious; antheridia capitulate.

Hab. Among Hepaticæ on dry elevated ridges, open woods, Seventy-mile Bush, between Norsewood and Danneverke, County of Waipawa; 1882–84: W.C.

Obs. I. A species allied to B. pendula, sieberi and comosa; differing from pendula, mainly in the very long points of the leaves, that are twisted when dry and papillose, and in the erect capsule; from sieberi, in the shining long-pointed and twisted leaves; and from comosa in the long-pointed, twisted and broader leaves, which are serrulate throughout, its densely tomentose stems, and apiculate operculum; and from all three species, also, in the translucent marginal cells at the base of leaves. It appears, however, to be nearest to this last species—comosa.

Obs. II. This species seems to be scarce; hitherto I have only detected it in two similar open ridgy spots, growing two-thirds concealed among dense and erect pale Hepaticæ (Mastigobryum, sp. nov. ?); and then only in small quantities, and rarely found in fruit, although I have visited those places some twenty times in hopes of finding good fruiting specimens. From its dense and shaggy tomentum, and intermixed habit among the Hepaticæ, and aged appearance it seems to be of very slow growth.

3. Hookeria, luteo-vivens, sp. nov.

Plant largely gregarious, stout, sub-erect, 2–2 ½ inches high, dichotomously branched above, branches sub-compressed, 5–6 lines wide, stem stout, dark brown. Leaves sub-quadrifariously disposed, oblong-orbicular, 2 lines long, obtuse and rounded at tip, dorsal and ventral smaller and more orbicular, minutely papillose, thin, margins entire, light green, whitish and yellowish at tips, slightly convex, densely imbricated; nerve short, forked, slender, green, largely cellular; cellules (of leaf) large, sub-orbicular, smaller at margins and apex, larger and oblong at base; perichætial erect, small, sub-rhombic, nerveless. Fruitstalk stout, 1 ¼ inches long, smooth, flexuous, twisted, slightly sulcate, dark brown, thickened at base. Capsule oblong, reddish, smooth (minutely reticulate under a lens), cernuous, slightly tuberculate at base; tubercles few and mostly above, round, smooth; cells of capsule large, oblong; external teeth 4-lined longitudinally, pretty closely trabeculate, strongly denticulate, reddish. Calyptra large scabrid, whitish, ragged at base.

Hab. Sub-pendulous on sides of shaded cliffs, in large patches, but rarely fruiting, in forests, Seventy-mile Bush, County of Waipawa; 1883–84: W.C.

Obs. A fine species having affinity with H. quadrifaria, but differing in several particulars.

4. Hookeria lophophora, sp. nov.

Stems simple and slightly once-branched, flat, sub-erect, 1 ½ inches high, 4 lines broad, thickly clothed between leaves with large red branched transparent and jointed hairs. Leaves pale, densely imbricated, sub-quinque-fariously disposed, the lateral ones spreading, crisp when dry, broadly oblong-apiculate, 2 lines long, very thin, transparent, margined, upper portion sharply serrulate nerve forked; dorsal and ventral similarly shaped but smaller; cells lax, orbicular-hexagonal in the upper part of leaf, larger and oblong-hexagonal in the central and lower part; perichætial oblong, very acuminate. Fruitstalk springing from near the top of stem, 2 ½ lines long, stout, pale, hairy; hairs short, patent; much fimbriate at top; fimbriæ erect, crest-like, nodding over apophysis. Capsule apophysate, inclined or horizontal, sub-obovate, turgid, red, finely reticulated, shining, tuberculate at base; apophysis dark brown. Calyptra not seen.

Hab. In dry woods, hill country near Napier.

Obs. A species allied to H. cristata.

Genus 25. Noteroclada, Taylor

1. Noteroclada perpusilla, sp. nov.

Plant very small creeping, densely compact, under 1 inch long, 2 lines wide, branched, branches very short about ½ inch long, deeply pinnatifid or sub-pinnate, glabrous, glistening, light green; midrib or stem stoutish,

rugulose, broader towards top, hairy about tip; hairs short, patent; mouth small, contracted, much tuberculated at base, springing from frond in pairs, greenish-white at first, brownish-white in age.

Hab. Epiphytical on Hookeria (sps.) and other mosses and Hepaticœ, but easily separated; growing low down in sides of dark water-courses, hill forests, near Norsewood, County of Waipawa; 1883–84: W.C.

Obs. A species near to A. orbiculata, and imbricata, Mihi: “Trans. N.Z. Inst.,” vol. xvi., p. 359.

Genus 39. Anthoceros, Micheli

1. Anthoceros pellucidus, sp. nov.

Plant prostrate, spreading, effuse, 2–6 inches diameter, densely imbricate, thin, transparent, fragile, crumpled, minutely tuberculate, light green, cells large, nerveless, with a few very fine rootlets at the extreme base: fronds ½—1 ½ inches broad at top, mostly narrow at base, sub-flabellate, more or less branched or deeply laciniate at top, irregularly lobed; lobes largely crenate or rounded at tips, margins free, sub-erect, finely and irregularly torn and sub-fimbriate; some fronds are very narrow, ½–2 lines wide, pinnatifid (like Aneura multifida). Involucre stout, conical, finely tuberculated near base, generally 3 or more arising from centre of a frond, 1–2 lines high, lips sub-bivalve, scarious. Capsule linear very narrow, almost filiform, arcuate, 8 lines long, light brown, dehiscing centrally on both sides and then margins reflexed, cohering at tips; columella exceedingly fine; spores light brownish-green; elaters large, numerous. Gemmæ, little oblong dark green bodies immersed and scattered in the frond. Apparently the seeds and filaments are at first contained in a thin transparent membrane around the columella, which is soon ruptured.

Hab. On rotten logs in dark wet woods, spreading over and adhering to other small Hepaticœ, mosses, dead twigs, etc., near Norsewood, County of Waipawa; 1882–84: W.C.

Genus 5. Sphærophoron, Persoon

1. Sphœsrophoron vividulum, sp. nov.

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Thallus sub-cæspitose, with a few small scales at the base, erect, flat, 1–1 ½ inches high, main stem 1–3 lines wide and unbranched below, sub-palmate and dichotomous above, very smooth and slightly convex on the upper surface, rugulosely pitted on the lower, edges entire, whitish beneath, light green above when living, but a dull olive-green when dried; upper branchlets numerous, very narrow 1/30–1/40 inch wide, sub-linear-clavate, ultimate segments cuneate-truncate, obconic, and spathulate, narrower at bases, having a sub-articulated appearance like some species of Corallina. Apothecia very small on slightly raised hemispherical receptacles just below