sometimes in the stigma. On the other hand, heterostyled flowers may not exhibit any great difference in the length of either style or stamens.

Hottonia palustris exhibits only two forms of flowers, and therefore belongs to the group of heterostyled dimorphic plants. In Lythrum, Oxalis, and one or two other genera heterostyled trimorphic flowers are developed: in each form there are two sets of stamens, and the style varies in length reciprocally with the stamens, the long-styled form having the shortest stamens, and the short-styled form the longest stamens; one set of stamens in each form is of the same length as a set in one of the other forms. No pistil can be fully fertilised except by pollen from stamens corresponding to the length of its style, but the pistil of either form may be fertilised by pollen from one or both the other forms.

The arrangements for cross-fertilisation in the New Zealand species of Fuchsia are much less complicated than in Lythrum or Oxalis, and combine with heterostyled trimorphism a marked tendency to unisexuality, the long-styled form in each species being practically a female flower, although in some instances capable of self-fertilisation.^*

The variation in the form of the flowers of the New Zealand fuchsias has been long recognised, although even yet it can scarcely be said to be fully understood. Sir Joseph Hooker, under the description of Fuchsia excorticata, in the “Flora Nov.-Zel.,” volume i., page 56 (1853), remarks, “The stamens vary much in length, being sometimes quite included”; and was so much impressed by the short-styled form of F. procumbens that he was led to consider it a distinct species, and described it as such under the name of F. kirkii. After pointing out that it was impossible to distinguish the two plants by the leaves alone, he adds, “In the flowers they differ widely…. At first I was inclined to think that these differences might be sexual; but I should rather regard them as diagnostic of two representative species that possibly had a comparatively recent origin.”†^dagger Mr. G. M. Thomson detected two forms of flowers, one of which he rightly stated to be hermaphrodite in structure but pistillate in function.T^dagger Unfortunately, with other southern botanists, he failed to distinguish between F. colensoi and F. procumbens, and consequently has no distinct reference to the heterostyled flowers of the latter.

All the New Zealand species agree in having alternate leaves and axillary solitary flowers, although in F.excorti-

cata the flowers are sometimes aggregated on very short branchlets, with undeveloped internodes. They further agree in having deep-blue dry pollen, bound together with extremely delicate threads, which are slightly viscid,^* and penetrate the mass in all directions, so that the pollen-grains readily adhere to the feathers of birds which frequent the trees for the sake of the honey afforded by the flowers.†^dagger

It will now be convenient to describe the general structure of the different forms of flowers produced by each species.

Fuchsia excorticata, L. fil.

In this species the flowers are pendulous, and at first of a deep-purple colour blotched with green; ultimately they assume a dull-red tint. Immediately above the ovary the calyx-tube is dilated in a globular form, then suddenly constricted, when it becomes funnel-shaped; the limb is divided into four acute spreading lobes; the tube is marked externally by eight more or less elevated ridges, caused by the insertion of the filaments; the deep violet-coloured petals are very small, and alternate with the segments of the calyx. The introrse anthers are carried on rigid but very delicate filaments, which vary in length even in the same flower, and are attached to the anthers in an obliquely-peltate manner. The stigma is globose, minutely papillose, and obscurely four-lobed on the upper surface.

Three principal forms of flower may be observed, but each plant produces a single form only. The different forms may be described as under:—

1. The Long-styled Form.—In this form the flower is slightly smaller than either the mid- or short-styled forms. The style is fully twice the length of the calyx-tube, but the filaments are so extremely short that at first sight the anthers appear to be sessile, and in some instances are partially included in the calyx-tube. The pollen-grains when present are yellow, and almost invariably abortive. The petals are very small, and often contorted.

2. The Mid-styled Form.—The style is much shorter than in the previous form, being about one and a half times the

length of the calyx-tube; the anthers are carried on long filaments, which are shorter than the style and of nearly equal length, although showing a slight tendency to form two sets. The pollen is of a deep mazarine-blue and well developed, the grains differing but slightly from those of the short-styled form. Petals larger than in the long-styled form, never contorted.

3. The Short-styled Form.—In this form the style is shorter than in either of the preceding, while the stamens are longer and of unequal length, the longer alternating with the shorter and nearly equalling the style, or in some cases exceeding it. Petals rather smaller than those of the mid-styled form, but never contorted.

Fuchsia colensoi, Hook. f.

1. The Long-styled Form.—This closely resembles the long-styled-form of F. excorticata, but the filaments are rather longer; the pollen is usually abortive. Petals minute.

2. The Mid-styled Form.—This also corresponds to the mid-styled form of F. excorticata, but the filaments are of equal length and more slender. The pollen is of a deep-blue colour. Petals minute.

I have not seen the short-styled form of this species, but entertain no doubt of its existence. As a rule this species does not produce flowers so freely as F. excorticata, and my opportunities of examining it during the flowering-season have been comparatively few.

Fuchsia procumbens, R. Cunn.

The flowers of this species are invariably erect and apetalous; the calyx-tube is neither inflated at the base nor marked by raised longitudinal ridges, while the segments are always refracted and never spreading. The stamens are exserted and of uniform length.

1. The Long-styled Form.—In this form the style greatly exceeds the stamens, and the stigma is distinctly four-lobed; the anthers are small, and the pollen, although of the same deep-blue colour as the perfect pollen in the preceding species, is probably abortive, but the material at my command is not sufficient to allow this point to be determined. Flowers smaller than in the mid- or short-styled forms. I have not seen this form in a growing condition.

2. The Mid-styled Form.—In this form the style exactly equals the stamens, but the flower differs from the preceding in no other particular, except its larger size.

3. The Short-styled Form.—The style of this form is shorter than the calyx-tube, in which it is wholly included. Pollen bright-blue.

In F. excorticata the three forms grow intermixed, usually in about the same proportion; although the flowers of each tree are uniform, there is a considerable amount of variation in the flowers on different trees, so that it would not be difficult to find intermediate forms, as in Lythrum grœfferi and L. salicaria.

The long-styled form of F. excorticata is practically a female flower, as the anthers are almost invariably abortive, and it is especially worthy of note that it produces a larger quantity of fruit than either the mid- or short-styled forms. As the three forms are usually found together wherever the plant is plentiful, it may fairly be assumed that this profusion of fruit is largely due to the application of pollen from both the mid- and short-styled forms; but this point can only be determined by an exhaustive series of experiments. The assumption receives a certain amount of support from the fact that, in a few observed cases where the mid-styled form appeared to be absent, the quantity of fruit produced by the long-styled form was greatly reduced. The same result has been observed in the absence of the short-styled form, and it may well be that the paucity or entire absence of fruit on many trees, even after flowers have been produced in profusion, is at least partially due to the absence of one form or the other.

So far as known to me, F. colensoi produces fruit but sparingly, especially in the North Island. May not this be partially due to the absence or comparative rarity of the short-styled form?

No instance is known, so far as I am aware, of the different forms of F. procumbens growing intermixed. I have never seen or heard of more than a single form occurring in any one locality. This may well account for the fact that the handsome fruit of this species has not been seen in the wild state. At Tryphena Bay Professor Hutton and myself examined hundreds of flowers, but saw no trace of fruit; subsequently I had the same experience at Mine Bay, and again at Whangaruru. Its original discoverer saw no trace of fruit at Matauri, where he collected the plant during the autumn months, when fruit should have been plentiful.

Although the mid- and short-styled forms are often cultivated, I have never seen both forms in the same garden. At present the long-styled form has not found its way into cultivation in the colony, although it appears to have been cultivated in England for fifty years, and the short-styled form for twenty years. Cultivated plants of the mid- and short-styled forms grown separately, although most frequently sterile, produce fruits occasionally; sometimes only a single berry becomes mature, rarely more than two or three. On one

occasion I saw a specimen in a greenhouse bearing nearly a dozen berries, but this was a solitary instance. The seeds are numerous, but possess a low power of germination. Of the total number of seeds contained in two large fruits from a short-styled plant only two germinated; both came true to the parent, and produced short-styled flowers. The rarity of fruit on cultivated plants and its absence on wild plants is surprising when it is remembered that the flowers are erect, and that the anthers and stigma of the mid-and short-styled forms are in such a position that the transfer of pollen by minute insects could scarcely be avoided; moreover, there is no evident tendency to dichogamy.

F. procumbens is an extremely rare and local plant; it is far from abundant in any of the few localities in which it is found. From the absence of fruit in the wild state, in which only a single form of flower is present, and its rare occurrence in cultivation under the same condition, it must be inferred that each form of flower is sterile with its own pollen, or, at least, that it is not capable of fertilisation in any appreciable degree. The same cause doubtless accounts both for the rarity of the plant and its restricted distribution, as well as for its remarkable uniformity in habit and foliage when compared with F. colensoi and F. excorticata.

The following conclusions appear to be warranted by what has been already stated:—

1. Self-fertilisation occurs but rarely, and, so far as evidence is available, the number of perfect seeds produced by self-fertilised flowers is extremely small.

2. The long-styled flowers of F. excorticata and F. colensoi are practically female flowers, but produce fruit more abundantly than either of the hermaphrodite forms.

3. The hermaphrodite forms are reciprocally related, and have a special relationship with the long-styled form.

The precise amount of advantage derived from the fertilisation of the long-styled form of F. excorticata with pollen from both mid- and short-styled forms can only be determined by a long and careful series of experiments. Some advantages must be obtained by the reduced demands upon the vital energy of the plant arising from the non-development of pollen.

As the mid- and short-styled forms of F. procumbens are not unfrequent under cultivation, it would be comparatively easy to ascertain the effects of intercrossing between these forms. The long-styled form is rare, and not easily obtained. It is most desirable that this form should be placed in the hands of the cultivator, since the species is unable to extend itself in a state of nature, and is gradually dying out; while

its extinction is hastened by the progress of settlement. I have been informed that it has already become extinct in Tryphena Bay.

It is remarkable that the differential characters of F. colensoi and F. procumbens have not been more fully defined: the original drawing of the long-styled form of F. procumbens was published in 1842, and the short-styled form (F.kirkii) in 1871. In the original “Flora Novæ-Zelandiæ,” volume i., page 57, F. colensoi is evidently included under F. procumbens, although the flowers are said to be apetalous; and in the “Handbook of the New Zealand Flora,” page 76, the flowers of F. procumbens are said to be “as in F. excorticata, but smaller.” At page 728 F. colensoi is for the first time described as a distinct species, but very briefly. The Otago botanists have usually mistaken forms of F. colensoi for F. procumbens, although the erect flowers of the latter are alone sufficient to distinguish it from any other species. I venture, therefore, to give the following amended descriptions of the New Zealand species from the MSS. of the “Students’ Flora of New Zealand,” now in course of preparation:—

Fuchsia excorticata, Linné, Supp. 217.

A shrub or small tree 10ft.–45ft. high; trunk 6in.–3ft. in diameter, clothed with brown papery bark. Leaves alternate, ½in.–4in. long, lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, acute or acuminate, entire or obscurely toothed, membranous, silvery beneath; petioles short. Flowers axillary, solitary, ¾in.–lin. long, trimorphic, on filiform drooping peduncles; calyx globose at the base, then suddenly constricted and expanded into a funnel-shaped tube, with longitudinal ridges, segments 4, acuminate, spreading; petals very small; stamens exserted and, like the style, varying in length. Fruit a pendulous purple or black berry. Link et Otto, Abb., t. 46; Lindl. in Bot. Reg., t. 857; D. C., Prodr., iii., 39; A. Cunn., Precurs., n. 533; Raoul, Enum. Pl. Nov. Zel., 49; Hook. f., Fl. N.Z., i., 56; Handbk. N.Z. Fl., 75; T. Kirk, Forest Fl. N.Z., t. 36 and 36A. Skinnera excorticata, R. and G. Forster, Char. Gen., t. 29; A. Rich., Fl. Nov. Zel., 331. Agapanthus calyciflorus, Banks and Sol., MSS. Kotukutuku, konini (the fruit only).

Hab. On the margins of woods, c., from the North Cape to Stewart Island. Ascends to 3,000ft. Flowers August to December.

In exposed or elevated situations this species is reduced to a dwarf bush. The branchlets are rather stout and very brittle. The petioles and peduncles vary greatly in length.

it should be placed in the tribe Borageœ, next to Eritrichium, Schrad.; but its abundant albumen separates it sharply from the genera of this tribe, which are all ex-albuminous. I have a very slight acquaintance with this natural order, which is represented in New Zealand only by Myosotis, Linn., Exarrhena, Br., and Myosotidium, Hook., in addition to the genus here described, and I shall therefore offer no opinion as to its position in the order. Mr. Brown informs me that my plant is identical with Tillœa hamiltonii, T. Kirk, noticed in a paper by Mr. W. S. Hamilton in volume xvii., page 292, of the Transactions of the New Zealand Institute, specimens of which Mr. T. Kirk, F.L.S., had sent to the Kew Herbarium. Mr. Kirk's specimens were very imperfect; otherwise I should not have had the opportunity of bringing this interesting new genus under your notice. To avoid useless synonymy I have retained the specific name proposed by Mr. Kirk.

Tillœa novœ-zelandiœ, sp. nov.

A short, slender, matted species, with the stems erect and lin. long, or prostrate and rooting when they reach a length of 2in. or more. Leaves linear, acute, opposite, connate at the base. Flowers axillary, solitary, small, shortly peduncled, 4-merous. Sepals coherent at the base. Petals ovate, acute, longer than the calyx. Stamens alternate with the petals. Scales linear, thin, flat. Style long, reflexed. Seeds, two or three in each carpel.

Hab. Waipahi, Lake Waihola, Lake Te Anau.

The specimens from Waipahi are taken as the type. Those from Lake Waihola are more robust and creeping. The Te Anau ones are very slender, and have fewer, shorter, and narrower leaves. Mr. N. E. Brown, A.L.S., of Kew, informs me that he cannot detect scales in the specimens I forwarded to the Royal Herbarium; but they are constantly present, and can be readily found in the bud and in newly-opened flowers. They are not so easy to detect in older, and especially in dried, flowers, in which they may be readily overlooked or mistaken for parts of the filaments. In some respects the present species resembles Tillœa debilis, Colenso, but the scales and the much longer petals readily distinguish it from that species. It is not so slender or densely matted as Tillœa sinclairii, Hook. f.

Azorella nitens, sp. nov.

A small, creeping, matted, glossy-green plant, the scapes and petioles usually buried in the soil for quite half their length. Leaves broadly-cuneate in outline; usually three-partite to the base, rarely shortly three-lobed; the segments

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½3/16in. long, ovate-oblong, obtuse, entire, thickened at the margin; petiole slender, 1in. to 2in. long.

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Scapes as long as the leaves, bearing one to three leaf-like petiolate bracts at the middle, where they usually subdivide into two or three branches. Umbels few-flowered (flowers 2 or 3); involucral bracts short, linear, acute; pedicels as long as the fruits or shorter. Fruits turgid, rounded at the back, broader than thick, deeply grooved between the mericarps, ½1/16in. long; ribs absent or very indistinct.

Hab. Shores of Lake Te Anau and banks of Clinton River (700ft.—1,000ft.). The small number of flowers in the umbel, the turgid almost ribless carpels, and the leaves three-partite to the base, mark this species off from all its congeners in New Zealand. In habit it much resembles Hydrocotyle muscosa, Br.

Lagenophora linearis, sp. nov.

A minute plant, with numerous entire, flat, glabrous, narrow-linear leaves, ½¼in. to ½¾in. long.

Scapes very slender, solitary or several, about twice as long as the leaves, elongating in fruit to nearly thrice their length.

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Involucral scales broadly-oblong with dark-purple tips; flowers as long as the involucre. Heads broader than long, minute, ½1/16in. in length; receptacle flat, rather broad. Achenes compressed, linear, tapering at both ends.

Hab. Grassy flats on the shores of Lake Te Anau. A very inconspicuous plant, easily overlooked if not in flower.

Carmichœlia curta, sp. nov.

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A slender, sparingly-branched shrub about 2ft. high; branches dichotomous, subcompressed, grooved and striate, glabrous; leaves not seen. Flower-clusters alternate on the shoots, erect, racemose, 8–10-flowered, with pilose peduncles and pedicels; flowers ½1/6in. long, on pedicels as long as the calyx. Calyx more or less pilose, campanulate, shortly toothed, usually with two small bracts at the base. Corolla rather large, creamy-yellow striped with purple; the the standard longer than the wings, broad, very obtuse. Ovary more or less pilose.

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Ripe pods almost or quite glabrous, when immature generally pilose, ½1/6in. long; beak half the length of the pod, subconical, sharply curved towards the tip; pods thin, two or three-seeded; seeds subreniform, usually pale-green with dark spots and blotches.

Hab. Waitaki River, at Duntroon and Kurow. The present species is most closely allied to C.juncea, Colenso. The flowers are, however, twice as large as in that species, the racemes

more pilose, the young pods generally pilose, and the pods and seeds nearly twice as large. In C. juncea, Col., the seeds are smaller, rounder, and more elongated. Flowering and fruiting specimens were gathered in the month of March.

Carmichœlia diffusa, sp. nov.

A low, slender, semi-erect, branched shrub.

Branches slender, grooved and striate, narrow, compressed, glabrous.

Racemes short, of 6 or fewer flowers, springing from the axil of a prominent white scale. Flowers ½⅛in. long, on short pilose pedicels. Calyx glabrous, undulate and jagged or ciliate at the margin which is hardly toothed; ovary glabrous; pedicels not longer than the flowers.

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Pods four or fewer in each raceme, ½1/6in. long, ½1/10in. wide, bluntly and broadly obovate, abruptly narrowed into a very short, straight, subulate beak continuous with the upper half of the pod; inner surface of pod puberulous, not cottony; replum strong; sides thick, slightly wrinkled, at length falling away, leaving the seed attached to the replum as in C. australis, Br. Seeds usually solitary, rarely two in a pod, large (½1/11in. long, ½1/15in. broad), subterete, stouter at one end, yellow-brown with dark-green or blackish spots.

Hab. East coast of Otago, near the mouth of the Otepopo River. The pod of this species is very characteristic. It resembles that of C. corymbosa Colenso, and some states of C. flagelliformis, Col., but is shorter, smaller, and broader at the apex. The seeds are much larger than in C. flagelliformis, and are not detached when the sides of the pod fall away.

Ourisia prorepens, sp. nov.

Stems slender, creeping and rooting, more or less branched, 4in. long or less.

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Leaves loosely bifariously imbricate, ½½in. long, ½¼in. to ½1/3in. broad, obovate, crenate, obtusely rounded at the apex, contracted into a broad thin petiole one-third the length of the blade, densely glandular-pilose above, slightly glandular-pilose below, not recurved at the margin; veins distinct on the undersurface.

Scapes slender, 4in. high or less, slightly glandular-pubescent; bracts in pairs, leaf-like, crenate or shortly lobed, nearly glabrous; flowers 3 to 6, solitary, on slender petioles lin. to 1.½in. long. Calyx ½¼in. long, divided to the middle into five oblong, obtuse, glandular-pubescent, and finelyciliate lobes. Corolla large, ½¾in. long and broad, the tube nearly twice as long as the calyx. Style very slender, twice as long as the calyx. Ripe fruit not seen.

Hab. Mount Bonpland, 4,000ft. The present species is somewhat closely allied to O. glandulosa, Hook. f., differing in the larger crenate leaves, the longer and more slender scape and peduncles, the larger and longer flowers, the crenate or shortly-lobed bracts, and the slight pubescence of the scape, bracts, and flowers.

Carex novœ-zelandiœ, sp. nov.

A short reddish-brown species, forming small tufts with stiff erect leaves that are curled at the tips. Culms, 4in. high or less, leafy, slender, terete, smooth. Leaves, always as long as, and usually longer than, the culms, very narrow, plano-convex, or concave above and convex below, smooth above, striate on lower surface, stiff, rather obtuse, curled and twisted at the tip.

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Spikelets 4 or 5, ½1/5in. long, rather stout, erect, the lowermost usually distant, the others crowded, sessile or shortly-peduncled; uppermost spikelet male only, the rest female with a few male flowers at the base; bracts as long as the leaves, leaf-like.

Glumes membranous, broadly-ovate, entire, rather obtuse, nerved and apiculate.

Utricle biconvex, smooth or faintly ribbed, gradually and equally narrowed at either end, red-brown; beak smooth, hardly bifid.

Style-branches, two.

Hab. Boggy ground at the edge of Lake Te Anau. Gathered February, 1892.

This plant has much the same appearance as Carex petriei, Cheeseman; the twisted and curled tips of the leaves readily mark it off from all the other native species. From C. petriei it differs in having two style-branches, much shorter spikelets, narrower and more rigid leaves, and less turgid utricles.

Gastrodia minor, sp. nov. Plate XX., figs. 5—7.

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A much smaller and more slender plant than Gastrodia cunninghamii, Hooker fil. Stems 8in. to 15in. high, terete, polished, ½1/12in. to ½1/16in. in diameter near the base; scales few, forming short oblique subacute sheaths round the stem, the upper ones distant; the whole plant except the tips of the flowers of a uniform umber-brown colour, not spotted.

Racemes lin. to 3in. long, of 1 to 9 pendulous flowers (usually 3 to 5). Bracts short, rather broad, scarious. Pedicels slender, 2 lines long; ovary as long as the pedicel, ribbed, slightly tuberculate. Perianth 5 lines long, ventricose, 5-fid, the very narrow division behind the labellum extending to about one-third the length of the tube, the others

very shallow (less than 1 line deep); the sepals and two inferior petals rounded, undulate, crumpled and incurved along the thickened margin; tips and inner surface of the perianth-lobes dirty-white.

Labellum, included, oblong, dull-yellow, sometimes slightly expanded at the base, with two subpapillose narrow more or less confluent medial ridges, incurved and thickened at the undulating and crumpled margin; the upper third free, the lower half adnate to the tube and with or without obscure ridge-like wings at the sides.

Column short, with straight very short lateral appendages that are either acute or obtuse.

Hab. Town Belt, Dunedin, in shady manuka bush. Flowers first weeks of January.

The present species differs from G. cunninghamii, H. f., in its small size, short racemes, smaller flowers, and umber-brown colour, but most of all in the structure and attachment of the labellum. Mr. A. Hamilton has kindly drawn for me the flowers of both species, and his drawings show the points of difference plainly enough. In G. cunninghamii (Plate XX., figs. 1—4) the free part of the labellum is trowel-shaped and much thinner at the sides than in my plant, and it has a distinct claw which is wanting in G. minor. The curiously-twisted wing of the lower part of the labellum of the former is wholly absent in the present species, in which, moreover, all the divisions of the flower except the labellum are of equal length. The lateral appendages of the column in G. cunninghamii are slender, curved, and horn-like; in G. minor they are short, erect, and straight. I had the good fortune to find both plants in flower in the neighbourhood of Dunedin at the same time, so that a very complete comparison of the two species was practicable. The flowers of the present species open but very slightly, and the groove behind the labellum cannot be seen without pushing apart the sepals which the latter separates.

Gunnera ovata, sp. nov.

Rhizome creeping, tufted.

Leaves broadly-ovate, obtusely rounded at the tip and cordate or subcordate at the base, finely crenately toothed all round the margin, nearly glabrous or with short scattered pale hairs, about lin. long and ½¾in. broad. Petiole slender, glabrous or more or less clothed with short pale hairs, twice as long as the blade.

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Flowers on peduncles about ½in. long, lengthening in fruit to 1.½in. Male flowers in a slender interrupted spike 2in. to 3in. long; female flowers forming a dense oblong spike about 1/3in. long; Fruiting spike ¾in. long, rather slender; drupes

Andreæa wrightii, sp. nov. Plate XXII.

Plants small, densely tufted, ¼in. long, nearly naked below, fastigiately branched. Leaves closely imbricating, erecto-patent, lower scale-like, middle small, varying from subulate-lanceolate to narrow ovate-lanceolate, acute, upper larger, concave, nerveless, papillose, margins entire; perichætial large, erect, semi-convolute, outer and inner pair sheathing two-thirds of their length, oblong-lanceolate and narrowed into an obtuse cucullate apex, nerveless, appressed when dry. Capsule ovate-apiculate.

Hab. Rocks, Moa Creek; June, 1885. Dedicated to Mr. Thomas G. Wright, of Christchurch, an earnest cryptogamic botanist.

Andreæa mutabilis, Hook. f. and Wils. (Enlarged and revised description.) Plate XXII.

Plants densely tufted. Stem ¼in. to 1in. high, branched. Leaves dark red-brown, erecto-patent, lower deltoid-subulate, acute, middle ovate-lanceolate, tapering into an acute point, upper ovate-subulate, acute, concave, margins entire, nerveless, papillose on the back, often falcate, appressed when dry; perichætial larger, erect, sheathing, convolute, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, nerveless, incurving near the apex.

Var. β. All the upper-stem leaves hamulose.

Hob. Port Hills; Craigieburn Range, Arthur's Pass, Moa Creek. Var. β. Clinton Valley, Otago.

Andreæa flexuosa, sp. nov. Plate XXIII.

Plants densely tufted. Stem from ¼in. to ¾in. long, fastigiately branched. Branches short. Leaves erecto-patent, imbricating, dark-brown, flexuous, sheathing near the base, linear-lanceolate, acute, concave, margins entire, nerveless, appressed when dry; perichætial erect, sheathing, convolute, obliquely ovate-subulate, obtuse, slightly cucullate at the apex, nerveless.

Hab. Arthur's Pass, on rocks; June, 1884. Moa Creek; June, 1885.

Andreæa huttoni, sp. nov. Plate XXIII.

Plants growing in small loose tufts. Stems from ¼in. to ½in. long, branched. Leaves red-brown, closely imbricating, erecto-patent, lower small, ovate - subulate, obtuse, oblique, middle ovate-lanceolate, obtuse, oblique margin incurved above the middle, cucullate at the apex, upper larger, nerveless, margins entire, concave; perichætial erect, large, sheathing nearly three-fourths of their length, convolute, narrowed into an obtuse cucullate apex, nerveless, closely appressed when dry. Capsule small.

Hob. Rocks, Moa Creek; 1885. Named in honour of Professor Hutton, of Christchurch.

Andreæa aquatica, sp. nov. Plates XXIII. and XXIV.

Plants growing in large loose tufts from 1in. to 4in. long. Branches flexuous, long. Leaves large, spreading, very crisp, brownish - green, glossy, middle broadly-ovate or subrotund, upper broadly ovate-acuminate, concave, margins entire, nerveless, scarcely altered when dry; perichætial very large, erect, outer lanceolate, acuminate, concave, inner sheathing, convolute, oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, incurved from the middle, nerveless. Capsule very large.

Hab. Growing submerged in water on stones in a small stream on Kelly's Hill, Westland, at an altitude of 3,500ft.; November, 1889.

The most beautiful of all the New Zealand Andreæas, being finely crisped, and of a shining brown and green colour.

Andreæa dicranioides, sp. nov. Plate XXV.

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Plants growing in dense tufts, fastigiate, 1/3in. to ¾in. long. Leaves red-brown, imbricating, secund, strongly falcate, base concave, narrowly-ovate or linear, tapering rapidly into a long slender point four-fifths of the length of the leaves, nerve slender, sometimes nearly absent. Specimen not in fruit.

Hab. Rocks on side of small tarn below Lake Mintaro, Clinton Valley; 1889.

Andreæa ovalifolia. sp. nov. Plate XXV.

Plants growing in dense tufts from ¼in. to 2in. long. Stems slightly fastigiately branched. Leaves spreading, large, darkbrown, scale-like at the base, middle oval, upper oval, shortly acute or broadly ovate-acute, concave, nerve broad ending about middle, margins entire, appressed when dry; perichætial large, erect, broadly-ovate, ending in a small point, margins entire, nerveless.

Hab. Port Hills, on rocks; October, 1883. Mount Torlesse; January, 1886. Waimakariri glaciers; 1890. Mount Bosquet; 1888.

Andreæa apiculata, sp. nov. Plate XXVI.

Plant loosely tufted, from 1in. to 1.½in. long, slightly branched. Branches slender, fastigiate. Leaves erectopatent, brownish-green, shining, lower scale-like, middle ovateoblong or obovate, rounded into a short acute point, concave, nerve disappearing near the middle, margins entire, upper very large, broadly-lanceolate, acute, nerve disappearing at the middle, margins entire, very concave, appressed when dry;

perichætial erect, large, sheathing, convolute, cucullate at apex. Capsule large.

Hab. Precipitous rocks forming one side of a small tarn below Lake Mintaro, Clinton Valley; January, 1890.

Andreæa cockaynei, sp. nov. Plate XXVII.

Plants growing in dense tufts. From ½in. to 1in. long, fastigiately branched. Leaves erecto-patent, densely imbricating, yellow-brown at the tips of the branches, dark-brown below, lower minute, ovate-subulate or ovate-cordate, falcate, nerved to the apex, concave, margin entire, middle and upper leaves oblong-lanceolate, tapering rapidly into a long slender point, slightly falcate, concave, nerveless. Immediately outside the perichætial are a few large leaves, oblong-ovate, rounded into a short or long point, concave, nerveless, appressed when dry; perichætial leaves erect, sheathing, oblong or elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, convolute, nerveless. Capsule small.

Hab. Rocks side of small tarn below Lake Mintaro, Clinton Valley, Otago. Named in honour of Mr. L. Cockayne, my botanical companion in many rough journeys among the mountains.

Andreæa jonesii, sp. nov. Plates XXVIII. and XXIX.

Plants densely tufted, from ¼in. to ½in. long. Stems flexuous, simple or slightly branched, fastigiate. Leaves erecto-patent, red-brown, closely imbricating, middle ovatelanceolate, rapidly tapering into a long slender point for about two-thirds the length of the leaf, upper large, broadly oblonglanceolate, rapidly tapering into a long point for one-third the length of the leaf, straight or slightly falcate, margin entire, concave, nerved; perichætial, inner pair elliptic-lanceolate, gradually tapering into a slender point, convolute, sheathing, outer larger, oblong-lanceolate, rapidly constricted into a slender point, convolute. Diœcious, leaves of male plant strongly falcate.

Hob. On rocks, Moa Creek; June, 1885.

Var. β. Upper leaves shorter in the blade and the point longer in proportion; perichætial larger and the capsule smaller than in the type.

Hab. Rocks on Mount Torlesse; January, 1886. Rocks above Robinson's Bay, Banks Peninsula. Named after the late F. Jones, Esq., M.H.R.

Andreæa clintoniensis, sp. nov. Plate XXIX.

Plant densely tufted, from ½in. to lin. long. Stems simple or sparingly branched, fastigiate. Leaves yellow-brown near apex of branch, dark-brown below, erecto-patent, slightly incurved, lower linear-lanceolate, acute, upper ovate or oblong-

mitriform, large, covering the whole capsule, confluent at the base, commonly ruptured at the middle by the lateral growth of the capsule, when maturing very persistent. Peristome none.

Hennedia macrophylla, sp. nov. Plate XXXI.

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A densely-tufted pale-green perennial moss, about ½in. high. Stem short, fastigiately branched. Leaves nearly erect, oblong-lanceolate, apiculate, slightly narrowed in the middle, concave, slightly recurved near the apex, margined with a subpellucid border of long quadrate cells, serrated towards the apex, from 3/16in. to ¼in. long, upper leaves longest, crisp when dry. Nerve keeled, excurrent. Areola, upper half dense, round; lower half quadrate, pellucid. Perichætial leaves similar to the other leaves. Capsule immersed, hidden by the upper leaves, broadly-ovate, narrowed into the mouth. Operculum short, conic, straight. Calyptra mitriform, large, tightly covering the whole capsule, confluent at the base, and very persistent.

Hab. Banks of the River Avon, near Christchurch. Fruiting from August to November.

Hennedia intermedia, sp. nov. Plate XXXII.

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Plants growing in small patches, dark-green, about ¼in. high. Stem short, 1/16in. or less, branched near the base. Leaves spreading, lower ovate-lanceolate, apiculate; upper larger, oblong-lanceolate, acute or acuminate, apiculate, serrated towards the apex, as long as or longer than the fruitstalk. Margin with a narrow border of pellucid quadrate cells, nerve percurrent. Areolæ—at the base, large quadrate, membranous; upper roundish. Perichætial leaves longer, otherwise similar. Fruitstalk ⅛in., inclined, thickened upwards. Capsule exserted, ovate-oblong, narrowed into the mouth. Operculum short, straight, conic. Calyptra mitriform, large, closely enclosing the capsule and confluent at the base, very persistent.

Hab. Damp banks, Port Hills, and plantations round the River Avon.

Hennedia microphylla, sp. nov. Plate XXXIII.

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A small, annual, pale-green moss, whole plant from 2/16in. to 5/16in. high. Simple or branched near the base. Leaves spreading, concave, oblong-lanceolate, acuminate. Margin entire or slightly toothed near the apex. Nerve vanishing or excurrent. Margin with a narrow border of quadrate cells. Perichætial leaves similar to stem-leaves, but slightly longer. Fruitstalk longer than the leaves, thickened upwards. Capsule inclined, ovate-oblong, narrowing towards the mouth. Operculum

to describe the new species, I very cordially agree with such a course.” The names are those given by Dr. Karl Müller, but for any errors or inaccuracies in the descriptions I am alone responsible. In this paper I have described and figured a few of the most interesting of the new species, and I hope in a future paper to publish some more.

Blindia chrysea, sp. nov. Plate XXXIV.

Autoicous. Densely cæspitose in large tufts, erect, branched, golden-yellow above, dull olive-green below. Leaves densely imbricated, falcate, glossy, when dry the apices spirally twisted, oblong-lanceolate produced into a long narrow point, margin flat, quite entire; nerve green, thin, well defined, occupying the greater part of the subulate apex. Alar cells dark rufous-brown, large and inflated, cells of lower part of leaf long, narrow, becoming shorter and more quadrate towards the apex. Perichætial leaves, outer with a broad base suddenly contracted into a long narrow point, innermost lanceolate, amplexicaul, all nerved to apex. Seta thin, ferruginous, length ¼in.–1in. Capsule leptodermous, erect, symmetrical, oval, exannulate, ferruginous. Operculum and calyptra not seen. Peristome of 16 teeth, short, papillose, thin, indistinctly barred, the lower part yellow, hyaline above. Male inflorescence gemmaceous, axillary below the perichætial leaves, bracts concave, ovate - acuminate, antheridia long, mixed with numerous paraphyses.

Hab. On rocks. A very distinct and beautiful species, belonging to a genus not hitherto recorded in New Zealand.

Log. Kaikoura; No. 263 (named by Dr. Müller). Benmore, 4,000ft.; No. 295. On the ground, Kowai; T. W. N. B. Mount Earnslaw; W. Bell.

Pottia marginata, sp. nov. Plate XXXV.

Synoicous. Cæspitose, minute, simple or dichotomous, olivegreen, leaves, lower ovate-lanceolate, upper elongato-lingulate, acuminate, carinate, not narrowed below; nerve brown, stout, tapering at the apex and excurrent in a point; margin flat, bordered by four rows of long clear yellow cells, vanishing before reaching the apex, which is coarsely and irregularly dentate. Cells at the base and of one-third of leaf oblongohexagonal, hyaline, gradually merging into small, roundish, hexagonal, opaque, densely chlorophyllose cells. Seta stout, short; capsule gymnostomous, erect or slightly inclined, long-oval, gradually tapering into the seta, chestnut-brown, smooth, contracted at the mouth when dry; operculum conicorostrate; calyptra covering the whole of the capsule, campanulate, base closely clasping the seta until near maturity, when

by the growth of the capsule it splits and becomes cucullate, cartilaginous, smooth. Inflorescence: ♂ and ♀ mixed together in the same inflorescence.

Hab. On clay banks.

Loc. Cachmere Road, Lyttelton Hills; October, 1887; No. 57. On dead “nigger-heads,” Wairarapa Stream, Fendalton; July, 1889; T. W. N. B. Christchurch Domain Garden; T. G. Wright. Mungatui; September, 1887; W. Bell. Pine Hill, near Dunedin; January, 1890, No. 275 (named by Dr. Müller); W. Bell.

In an immature state the calyptra covers the entire capsule and tightly clasps the seta, as in the genus Calymperes, but on nearing maturity the growth of the fruit ruptures the very cartilaginous calyptra, when it becomes truly cucullate, and is pushed upward, covering only two-thirds of the capsule. The plant is therefore a true Pottia.

Orthotrichum graphiomitrium, sp. nov. Plate XXXVI.

Autoicous. Stems subrepent or laxly pulvinate; branches erect, 1in.–1.¾in. long, more or less branched. Leaves laxly imbricated, patent, when dry appressed but not much altered; stem-leaves oblong-lanceolate, gradually acuminate, comal leaves larger, perichætial leaves longer and narrower than the comal ones. Nerve stout, carinate, vanishing within the apex; margins quite flat. Cells at the base long, yellow, above round, distinct, papillose. Capsule on a very short seta, hardly visible above the leaves, ovate, smooth, striæ very indistinct, narrowed gradually below. Stomata on lower part of capsule superficial, large. Operculum conic, rostellate, with a red line round the base. Calyptra conic, golden-yellow, darker at the apex and base, covered with long, jointed, pale-yellow hairs, plicate, base lobed. Peristome, outer of 8 teeth bigemmate, greyish-orange, obtuse, cilia 8, nearly as long as the outer teeth, broad, consisting of two rows of cells, palegrey. Male inflorescence gemmiform, axillary in the lower leaves of fertile branches, bracts ovate-obtuse, nerved threequarters, cells of lower half brown, antheridia about 12, paraphyses few or 0.

Hab. On the stems and branches of small trees at high elevations.

Loc. Arthur's Pass, 3,013ft.; No. 176 (named by Dr. Müller). On “ribbonwood” trees, Benmore; T. W. N. B.

This very handsome and distinct moss, often of a brightgolden colour, is extremely local, but very abundant in places where it is found. The subrepent mode of growth is unusual in Orthotrichum. It creeps along branches with quite the habit of Macromitrium, and forms patches 7in. or 8in. long.

Zygodon integrifolius, sp. nov. Plate XXXVII.

Autoicous. In soft, dense, green cushions, dark-brown below, sparingly branched. Leaves patent and recurved, curled and contorted when dry, linear, very acuminate, keeled; margins plane, quite entire, nerve stout, concolorous, vanishing within the apex. Cells at the base rectangular, not hyaline, gradually merging into minute, square, somewhat obscure cells. Perichætial leaves long, ovate, tapering gradually to a fine point, cells rectangular, uniform over the whole leaf. Seta short, curved. Capsule gymnostomous, just showing above the leaves, oval-pyriform, brown, marked with 8 darker striæ, when dry contracted below the mouth, grooved, urceolate. Operculum flat, with a blunt oblique beak. Calyptra small, cucullate, only covering the top of the capsule, fugaceous. Male inflorescence gemmaceous, axillary below the perichætial leaves, bracts 3—4 ovate-acuminate, nerved, antheridia few, paraphyses none.

Hab. In crevices and fissures of rocks in sheltered situations.

Loc. Benmore, Canterbury; alt., 4,000ft.; November, 1890; No. 297 (named by Dr. K. Müller). Thirteen-mile Bush; September, 1892. Studholme Bush, Waimate; April, 1892; T. W. N. B. Glenorchy, Lake Wakatipu; January, 1890; W. Bell.

Nearly allied to the European Zygodon lapponicus, B. and S.

Climacium novæ-seelandiæ, sp. nov. Plate XXXVIII.

Primary stem creeping, sending up erect dendroid stems, which are densely covered with matted roots and broad closely-appressed leaves. Branches generally simple, sometimes slightly pinnate, growing on all sides round the top of the stem, the lower branches longest. Leaves thickly inserted all round the branches, plicate, margins flat. Leaves of stem broad, cordate at base, the apex rounded, very concave, quite entire, nerved three-quarters of their length. Branch-leaves from a cordate base, broadly ovate, concave, tapering towards the apex, obtusely pointed, almost entire, nerve vanishing within the apex. Leaves towards the ends of the branches and of branchlets narrower ovate-lanceolate, apex obtuse and very coarsely toothed, nerve vanishing within the apex. Cells slightly enlarged at the basal angles; the cells at the base of the leaf bright yellow-brown; cells of leaf long, ends pointed. Fruit not seen.

Loc. Castle Hill, North Canterbury; T. Kirk.

This handsome moss has the habit and appearance of the European Climacium dendroides. The leaves are, however, different.

Andreæa cochlearifolia, sp. nov. Plate XXXIX.

Dioicous (?). In dense blackish-brown tufts. Stems 1.½in. long, 1 line in diameter, sparingly branched, lower parts denuded. Leaves loosely imbricated, inflated, cochleariform, oval or ovate, margins flat in the upper half and not concave, entire, apex minutely apiculate, dull olive-green, nerve broad, vanishing about the middle of the leaf. Perichætial leaves long-ovate, convolute. Cells at the base long, yellow, rather opaque, forming a circular patch not extending to the margins; cells of leaf small, quadrate, becoming roundish towards the apex, not papillose. Capsule entirely exserted, cleft from base to apex into 4 or 6 valves, dark-purple male inflorescence, bracts 3, antheridia about 5, paraphyses 0.

Hab. Wet rocks, under dripping water.

Loc. Mount Bonpland; alt., 4,000ft.; Otago; No. 353; W. Bell (named by Dr. Müller).

Quite distinct from any hitherto-described New Zealand Andreœa, and growing in situations—in water—very unusual for species of this genus. The nerve is not of greater thickness than the leaf, and is composed of a number of rows (from 10 to 20) of long opaque cells, which branch off in a fan-shaped manner about the middle of the leaf, and are lost amongst the leaf-cells. The margin of the upper part of leaf is flattened out like the edge of a plate.

Andreæa pulvinata, sp. nov. Plate XL.

Dioicous. Densely pulvinate in large hemispherical masses, purplish-red, dichotomously branched. Stem 1.¼in. to 1.½in. long. Leaves distant, patent, small, ovate-lanceolate gradually tapering to a blunt point, nerveless; comal leaves larger, more or less falcato-secund; perichætial leaves large, broad, ovate, tapering to an obtuse point, convolute. Cells at the base, in the centre, but not extending to the margins, long, squareended, of a rich orange-purple, leaf-cells regular, dot-like, and strongly papillose at the back. Male inflorescence in a round bud, bracts 3, very concave, orbicular, pointed, antheridia 2 or 3, paraphyses none.

Hab. On south-east faces of rocks.

Loc. Rockwood, North Canterbury; November, 1890; No. 359 (named by Dr. Müller).

A very distinct species. The male plant shows the inflorescence of past years like beads upon a string. The inflorescence is truly terminal, though apparently lateral through being pushed aside by the new shoot which is developed im mediately below the bracts.

Andreæa arctoæoides, sp. nov. Plate XLI.

Dioicous. In fragile dark-green or brownish tufts. Stems 4 to 9 lines long, simple or fastigate. Leaves spreading,

crowded, orange-yellow, apices darker, appressed when dry, oval, suddenly attenuated and tapering into a long point, which is sometimes slightly falcate; nerve indistinct, darker coloured, vanishing in the narrowed part; perichætial leaves 3 or 4, large oval, suddenly contracted into a narrow point one-third the length of the whole leaf, faintly nerved half-way; cells of centre of the leaf at base and on each side of nerve long and narrow, leaf-cells oval, small. Capsule 4-valved, oval, not exserted beyond the apex of leaves. Male inflorescence—bracts ovate, narrowed into a small point, antheridia few, paraphyses numerous, long, thin, smooth, the joints very inconspicuous, dark-orange.

Hab. On rocks.

Loc. Rockwood, North Canterbury; November, 1890; No. 371 (named by Dr. Müller). Mount Torlesse; April, 1892; No. 412; T. W. N. B.

Quite distinct from A. pulvinata in its mode of growth and form of leaves.

Hypnum (Heterophyllum) kirkii, sp. nov. Plate XLII.

Minute, growing in dense close cushions, stems irregularly branched. Leaves greyish-green, not much altered when dry, linear, lanceolate, gradually attenuated from the base to a slender point, apex minutely serrated, nerveless, base of leaf concave, with flat hyaline alæ with large hyaline cells, cells at centre of base distinct bright yellow, cells of leaf long, distinct, slightly sygmoid; perichætial leaves much larger, erect, outer ovate-acuminate entire, inner ovate-lanceolate gradually tapering to a fine point very slightly denticulate at the apex, lower half of all bright yellow. Seta smooth, 5 lines long, brownish-red, vaginula large, turbinate. Capsule slightly inclined, oval. Operculum conic, with a long attenuated beak. Peristome, teeth pale yellow, lanceolate, subulate, inner surface very trabeculate, endostome consisting of 16 carinate imperforate processes without intermediate cilia.

Hab. Growing on trees and decayed bark.

Loc. The Snares; No. 370; T. Kirk; 1890 (named by Dr. Müller). Paterson's Inlet, Stewart Island; T. Kirk; 1890.

Fissidens (Heterocaulon) ramiger, sp. nov. Plate XLIII.

Rhizantoicous, solitary or gregarious, minute. Fertile stems very short; leaves few, two inner ones convolute round the seta, apex produced into a long point; lower ones (2 or 3) smaller, diminishing in size; the vaginant laminæ occupying nearly the whole of the leaf, the superior lamina very short and narrow, and curved into a beak. Barren stems—leaves 8–10-jugous, lower smaller shorter and ovate, ovate-lanceolate

towards the upper part of stem; vaginant laminæ two-thirds the length of leaf; inferior lamina narrow, vanishing before the base, nerve thick, vanishing in the apex, immarginate, entire. Cells large, irregular, hexagonal. Seta short, stout, yellow, three times the length of capsule. Vaginula very wide. Capsule oval, symmetrical, erect or very nearly so. Operculum not quite half the length of capsule, conic, apiculate. Peristome red, teeth cleft to the middle into two long filiform legs, undivided part strongly trabeculate. Male inflorescence gemmiform, situated at the base of the fertile stems, amongst the roots.

Hab. On clay.

Loc. Lyttelton Hills; No. 376 (named by Dr. Müller). On sod-banks, Malvern Hills; September, 1892.

In some specimens the margin of the vaginant laminæ has a slight border of long cells. In several instances I have observed twin setæ in one inflorescence.

Fissidens (Bryoidium) campyloneurus, sp. nov. Plate XLIV.

Dioicous(?). Densely gregarious. Very small, simple, leaves pale yellowish-green, crisped when dry, lanceolate, very acute, vaginant laminæ half the length of leaf, inferior lamina narrowed below and vanishing towards the base; nerve stout, with a considerable bend where it passes below the vaginant laminæ, which it encircles on the inner side, continued to the apex, where it unites with the border, which is continuous round the whole of the leaf; border composed of two or more rows of long paler cells; leaf-cells rounded-hexagonal, distinct. Barren shoot 7–9-jugous. Fertile stems, 3–plurijugous, procumbent, causing the erect seta to have a bend close to the vaginula; leaves linear-lanceolate, longer and narrower than on the barren shoots, the two perichætial leaves longest. Seta pale-red, slender, flexuous. Capsule short, oval, erect or slightly inclined, contracted below the mouth when dry. Operculum conic, with a straight blunt beak. Peristome deep brownish-red, not inserted below the mouth, teeth cleft two-thirds into two slender legs, the lower undivided portion closely and strongly trabeculate, the bars on the legs placed diagonally, giving them a spirally-twisted appearance.

Hab. On damp clay.

Loc. Waimate, South Canterbury; No. 150 (named by Dr. Müller). Mount Fife, Kaikoura; No. 267. Benmore; alt., 4,000ft. Patterson's Creek, Mount Torlesse; T. W. N. B. Pine Hill, Dunedin; W. Bell.

In the apical leaves of barren plants the border and nerve vanish towards the apex, though in the lower leaves

Blindia chrysea. sp. nov

.

In 1889 Mr. William Bell, of Pine Hill, Dunedin, sent a collection of mosses, chiefly belonging to the family Orthotricheœ, to Mr. Mitten for identification. Mr. Bell has kindly placed Mr. Mitten's letter and notes at my disposal, and supplied me with type specimens of the mosses. Mr. T. Kirk has lately allowed me to examine an interesting collection of seventy-nine Westland mosses, made by Mr. R. Helms, of Greymouth, in 1882. They were sent that year to Dr. Karl Müller for determination, and he decided that thirty-six were new to science. These he has named; but he tells me, in a letter which I have recently received from him, that they have not yet been described, and have not been published.

With the material these collections afforded me, and a few mosses derived from other sources, I am enabled to enumerate fourteen mosses not hitherto included in the New Zealand flora.

Blindia robusta, Hampe.

“Cæspitosa, robusta, sesquiuncialis parce ramosa, folia maxime falcata integerrima, nervo plano evanescente, cellulis linearibus versus apicem densioribus flavescentibus, echlorophyllosis, alaribus grandibus subquadratis hyalinis; seta crassa semiuncialis flavescens, theca subrotundo-ovalis, coriacea fusco-rubra suberecta, operculo conico-obliquo crasso subulto thecam dimidiam æquante pallidiore, dentibus peristomii latioribus membranaceis inflexis plus minusve regulariter divisis. Hab. In Alpibus Austr., Mount Munyang.”—“Linnæa,” 1859–60, p. 627. F. von Müller's “Analytical Drawings of Australian Mosses,” tab. 7.

Autoicous. Male inflorescence bud-like, terminal in a branch below the female inflorescence, bracts obovate abruptly contracted into a lanceolate point, antheridia numerous (23).

Hab. On old moraine at the base of the Waimakariri Glacier; 1889; R. Brown.

I have authentic specimens of B. robusta from Mr. Sullivan, collected in snowy watercourses, Mount Kosciusko, New South Wales, which enabled me to identify this moss.

Grimmia leucophæa, Greville, in Trans. Werner Soc., iv., f. 6. Grimmia leiocarpa, Taylor.

Readily known from the other New Zealand species of Grimmia by its very rough hair-points. A cosmopolitan species.

Hab. On boulders, Dyer's Pass, Lyttelton Hills; No. 114; 1888; T. W. N. B. Banks of the Clutha, Otago; 1891; W. Bell.

I have this moss also from the Barossa Range, South Australia, Tepper; and from Queensland, Bailey.

Anomodon huttonii, Mitten.

“Caulis procumbens, ramis ascendentibus subpinnatim divisus; folia caulina patentia, ovata, acumine lato apice acutiusculo, nervo indistincto supra medium evanido, ramea subcompressa, basi subovata, ligulata, acutiuscula, omnia inferne canaliculato-concava, apicem versus plana, cellulis rotundis obscuris papillosis, margineque crenulata. Hab. New Zealand, Great Barrier Island; Hutton et Kirk.” —Mitten, Journ. Linn. Soc., vol. xiii., p. 309.

As Mr. Mitten's description of this interesting moss was published in his paper on Ceylon Musci, and may be overlooked, I reproduce it here.

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The branches are extremely filiform, 4—6 lines long; when dry julaceous and not more than 8/1000in. in diameter, with the leaves closely appressed. When moist the leaves are patent. The cells are large, roundish-hexagonal, and very uniform in size over the whole of the leaf. There are a few long cells on each side of the nerve at its base. The nerve, from a broad base, tapers, and vanishes above the middle of the leaf. Each individual cell projects at the edge of the leaf, causing the margin to be minutely crenulate.

Mr. Kirk, to whom I am indebted for this moss, informs me that he found it but sparingly on the Great Barrier, but freely at Omaha and Matakana, and other places in Auckland.

In “Herb. Bell,” identified by Mr. William Mitten.

Tortula muralis, Hedwig.

A very cosmopolitan plant, but not before recorded as found in Australasia. On chimney, Pine Hill, near Dunedin; W. Bell; No. 649.

Orthotrichum rupestre, Schleich.

On rocks, Mount Earnslaw; 1890; W. Bell. Mount Benger, 4,000ft.-5,000ft., and Pine Hill; W. Bell; No. 265; 1887. Mount Fife, Kaikoura; T. Kirk; 1889. Benmore, alt. 4,000ft.; T. W. N. B.; 1890.

Orthotrichum tasmanicum, H. f. and W. (London Journ. Bot., vii., 1848, p. 27.) Flora Tasm., ii., 184.

On twigs of bushes (especially Discaria toumatou); not uncommon. Lake Wakatipu and Pine Hill; W. Bell; Nos. 438, 646; 1888. Mount Torlesse, 1892; Hunter's Hills, Waimate; Little River, Akaroa, 1887; T. W. N. B.

Zygodon minutus, Hampe and C. Müll. (“Linnæa,” 1856, p. 209). Flora Tasm., ii., 186.

Found in Australia and Tasmania. Paterson's Inlet, Stewart Island; W. Bell; No. 674a; 1889. On the bark of ngaio trees (Myoporum lœtum), Maungamana Bay, Kaikoura; 1889; T.W. N.B.

Eucamptodon inflatus, Mitten. Hypnum inflatum, H. f. and W. Fl. N.Z., ii., tab. 90, fig. 5.

“I send a stem of the Hypnum inflatum of Fl. N.Z. No fruit has been seen. I keep it as a species of Eucamptodon which is almost the same as Dicnemon: but Eucomptodon has an erect capsule; in the other genera it is curved and unequal. These are dicranoid mosses, having no affinity with Hypna of any kind. Eucamptodon inflatus is the finest species yet discovered. In both genera, Dicnemon and Eucamptodon, the primary stem is creeping, from which fertile branches arise.”—W. Mitten in litt.

Great Barrier Island; T. Kirk. Near Auckland; T. F. Cheeseman.

In “Herb. Helms,” identified by Dr. Karl Müller.

Hypnum (Hypnodendron) deflexum, Wilson.

This is Isothecium arbusculum, var. β deflexum, Fl. N.Z., ii., 104; Hypnum deflexum, C. Müll., Syn. ii., p. 680. Mr. Mitten considers this moss distinct from Isothecium arbusculum,” Australian Mosses,”.p. 35.

Found in New South Wales and Tasmania. “Herb. Helms,” No. 3.

Hypnum (Rhynchostegium) huttoni, Hampe.

Nearly allied to Rhynchostegium tenuifolium, Hed. Autoicous, male inflorescence bud-like in the axils of leaves below the female inflorescence.

Westland, “Herb. Helms,” No. 16. Pine Hill, Dunedin; W. Bell; No. 657; 1888. Greymouth; W. J. Gulliver. Barry's Pass, Akaroa; T. W. N. B.; No. 55; 1887.

Pilotrichella billardieri, Hampe (“Linnæa,” 1859, Neckera).

Meteorium billardieri, Mitten, “Australian Mosses,” p. 34.

Found in Gippsland: F. v. M. It very much resembles a large form of M. molle. “Herb. Helms,” No. 41. Kaikoura, No. 13b, identified for me by Dr. Müller. Oxford Bush, North Canterbury; T. W. N. B. Nelson; D. Grant.

Rhizogonium aristatum, Hampe.

“Gracillimum, laxe cæspitosum, unciale, adscendens. Caulis filiformis basi nudus vel foliis parvis remotis ovatis cuspidatis munitus, superne foliis approxumatis, anguste plumiformis flavescens. Folia disticha, oblique inserta, unolatere patenti concava, e basi parce obovata late lanceolata, planiuscula, margine flavescenti limbata, versus apicem remote dentata, nervo lutescente solido aristata, cellulis angulatorotundatis parce incrassatis, pallide diaphanis. Folia perichætialia lanceolato-subulata elongata subintegerrima vel parce denticulata erecta, apice pallida, nervo percursa longius aristata. Seta basilaris erecta sesquiuncialis caulem superans, apice incrassata rubra. Theca læsa horizontalis oblonga annulata peristomio? Lake Pedder, Tasmaniæ; parcissime legit Schuster. Rhizogonio novœ-hollandiœ simillimum, sed foliis limbatis primo visu discernendum.”—“Linnæa,” xl., 1876, p. 314.

Greymouth, in “Herb. Helms,” No. 49. Westland; T. Kirk. Stewart Island, on stems of tree-ferns; W. Bell; No. 715.

Dicranum (Campylopus) capillatus, H. f. and W. Flora Tasm., ii., 172.

A Tasmanian moss nearly allied to Campylopus appressifolius. Westland, in “Herb. Helms,” No. 64.

Dicranum (Campylopus) leptocephalum, C. Müll. (“Linnæa,” 1855, p. 206).

Mitten, in “Musci Austro-Americani,” Jour. Lin. Soc., xii., p. 84, gives this as a synonym of Campylopus introflexus, Hed., and remarks, “C.introflexus is very variable in external appearance—in the colour of the leaves, and in the length and curvature of their white points.” “Herb. Helms,” No. 73.

Bartramia commutata, Hampe.

“Dioica, robusta, vage ramosa, decumbens. Caulis fere ubique rufo-tomentosus, fructifer adscendens, superne radiatus, flavescens, ramis teretibus acutis, caulis masculus subsimplex, apice stellatus. Folia caulina sicca accumbentia humido erecto-patula, e basi contracta concava pluries plicata, late ovato-lanceolata subintegerrima, nervo percursa setaceo-aristata, margine toto revoluto, cellulis abbreviato-parallelogrammicis, nodulis minimis interrupto-punctatis, basi latere velo tenero latiore reflexo, cellulis quadratis reticulato pellucido aucta. Radiorum folia minora, magis pellucida, tenerrime reticulata, evidenter scabra, nervo tereti lutescente in subulam

tinous within; pileus stalked, divided at the summit into long radiating simple entire or forked horizontal arms; hymenium at the base of the arms.” The species to which I am about to refer is thus described by the same distinguished botanist:—

“Aseroe rubra, Labill., Fl. N. Holl., ii.; Berk., in Fl. N.Z., ii., 187. Two to four inches high; stem as thick as the thumb, even. Rays of the pileus about 8, bright-red, long, subulate, lin.–2in. long, split to the base, continuous with the stem, not divided from them by a deep groove.”

Another species of the same genus, discovered by Mr. Colenso at the Bay of Islands, has been described, and named Aseroe hookeri; but I have never seen it.

There is an excellent coloured drawing of Aseroe rubra in the appendix to the Rev. Richard Taylor's “New Zealand and its Inhabitants” (pl. v., fig. 3).

I have met with this plant in various parts of New Zealand, always in the depth of the woods, its star-like form and bright colour attracting immediate notice. But what I desire to call attention to now is the singular fact (hitherto unrecorded) that this fungus appears to be insectivorous in its habit of life. Its presence is always indicated by a peculiar fœtid smell, like decomposing animal matter, and so pungent in its nature that on handling the plant this very disagreeable odour communicates itself to the fingers, and can only be got rid of by washing the hands in water.

On a recent occasion I found several of them growing in the woods near the Papaitonga Lake; and Mr. Morgan Carkeek, the District Surveyor, who happened to be with me at the time, drew my attention to the fact that each of them had the surface-cup, if I may so term it, completely filled up with the partially-dissolved bodies of dead insects. Mr. Carkeek assured me that during the many years he has spent in the New Zealand forests he has invariably found this plant garnished in a similar manner.

From the interior of the stem a viscid foul-smelling fluid is secreted, and this rises into the cup and mixes with the bodies of moths, flies, beetles, and other small insects collected there, which appear to undergo a process of gradual dissolution and absorption. Now, the question arises, Is this fungus, like the Drosera, a carnivorous plant, and is it endowed with its pungent odour, added to its flower-like brilliancy, for the purpose of attracting its insect-food? And is the fluid itself a solvent, with the acid constituent for aiding the process of digestion? My answer is in the affirmative.

I dissected one of the stems, and found that it was hollow, or nearly so, with what appeared to be a membranous sac at the bottom containing fluid matter; but the examination,

2. Of an orchid, Gastrodia leucopetala, Col. In another part of the same wood I was much pleased on finding no less than eleven specimens of this (now rare) terrestrial orchid, all growing together within a small semi-enclosed spot of about 2ft. in diameter; and just beyond were two more. This was at the end of January, and of course they were all past flowering, as this curious plant flowers about Christmas; their upright reed-like stems were nearly alike in size, each being about 2½ft. high, and full-flowered. The eleven specimens were growing close to the base of a large living rimu tree (Dacrydium cupressinum), and nearly surrounded by its high and naked roots, projecting like ridges from its trunk, which no doubt had been the means of preserving the roots of these plants, which are tolerably large and fleshy, and are edible both by man (the old Maoris) and pigs. In fact, I have long been of opinion that the main cause of this orchid now being so rarely met with in its forest habitat is owing to its root being eagerly sought after and eaten by the wild pigs. For a full description of this fine species see Transactions N.Z. Institute, vol. xviii., p. 268. I may further remark that those specimens there described were also obtained from another part of this same wood.

While mentioning a species of the order Orchideœ, I may further observe that several of the indigenous epiphytal ones are well represented in the forests here—viz., Dendrobium lessonii, Col.; Earina autumnalis, Hook.; E. mucronata, Lindl.; E. quadrilobata, Col.; E. alba, Col.; also, but more sparingly, that curious and rare one Sarcochilus breviscapa, Col.: all these usually grow high up on the larger timber-trees, in the forks of their main upper branches, which makes it to be so difficult to get good specimens of them; but now that those trees are being felled for timber, specimens of those orchids are more easily obtainable.

These plants certainly add largely to the beauty of our New Zealand forests in their flowering-season, about midsummer, when gracefully pendent producing their numerous flowers at the tips of their long lithe branchlets swinging in the wind. Indeed, the curiously-marked long woody polished ringed stems of the Dendrobium are a pleasant object of contemplation and study, as such are sure to remind the beholder of the regularly-ringed and shining stems of the malacca and other walking-canes.

3. A fungus, Ileodictyon cibarium, Tulasne, var. giganteum, Col. Of this highly-curious fungus I have met with a remarkable fine specimen, which I have (for the present) termed a variety, but which may prove to be another species of that strange and singular genus. It is not only twice or three times the size of the largest I have ever yet seen, but it

has other peculiarities. Unfortunately, the description of I. cibarium in Hooker's “Flora of New Zealand” is very insufficient. This species is pure-white, of an oblong shape, somewhat resembling that of a large inflated bladder of open network, being 14in. long and 9in. wide, possessing twenty-two large pentangular irregular-size meshes, the largest being about 4in. by 2in.; their ribs very wide, 6–8 lines, and much corrugated and pitted, with peculiar triangular holes in the middle of the rib at each outer angle: its volva, originally before bursting about the size of a pigeon's egg, is thickish, gelatinous, and strongly marked internally with white cross-lines corresponding with the more prominent net-like ribs of the pileus when closely compressed within.

But its curious history has yet to be told. It was late in the autumn (May), when I was in a grassy spot on the confines of a small retired wood (whither I had often been in former years), when on seating myself on a dead prostrate tree I noticed two or three common specimens of I. cibarium showing themselves among the low herbage; I collected them. On looking more closely I saw an olive-coloured egg-shaped fungoid substance peering up from the ground underneath a thick branch of the tree on which I was sitting, apparently as if it were pressed down by the branch. I broke the branch off carefully, when the egg-like substance rapidly burst open, and up sprang this fine specimen as if forcibly ejected by a spring, unfolding itself immediately to its full size. Its sudden and unexpected movement startled me; but after admiring this wondrous production of Nature, and its astonishing internal powers,—seeing, too, it was but a weak and flimsy tender substance without nerves,—I brought it carefully away in my handkerchief, and, after washing it with a feather in repeated waters (to remove its copious brownish slime of a most disagreeable odour, which is common to them all, including the closely-allied and handsome genus Aseroe), I dried it, and its volva or case, as a good specimen.

In former years (in the forties), before the introduction of cattle, specimens of I. cibarium were not unfrequently to be met with in open fern-lands, and generally fully expanded, usually from 3in. to 4in. diameter, and nearly globular; but I never before witnessed the bursting of a volva. The apparent strength, or power, shown by this small, soft, and tender fungus reminded me strongly of what we have read as recorded of some of the mushroom-like genus (Agaricus) in their displacing and forcing up the flat stones in city pavements.

As before stated by me in former papers read here, these fungi while in their young, unbroken egg-like condition were formerly eaten by the Maoris; in that state they have none of that offensive ill-odour that pertains only to the fully-expanded

pileus, and which is confined to the thick brownish slime with which it is covered: the difference is just that between a fresh-laid and an addled egg.

4. Gentiana montana, Forst. Another plant which I think should be included in this group as being both very rare and strange in this low wooded district is a species of Gentiana, and, as I believe, G. montana.

The natural home of this pretty little flowering-plant is on the open grassy tops of the neighbouring high Ruahine mountain-range, where it embellishes the small herbage of its sub-alpine locality with its numerous pale and neat flowers, which are large for such a small plant. I have only met with it in one small open spot on Tahoraiti Plain, where several plants of it grew; but I do not think it is to be found anywhere else in all the lower and wooded grounds. My detecting it there very much surprised me; indeed, as it was so long back since I last saw it growing on the mountains (in 1852), at first sight I supposed it to be a new species. Now, seeing that the seeds of the Gentiana are neither minute nor light (feathery), the question arises, How should it be found here on the plains so far away from its natural mountain-home?

5. Another fern, Lomaria elongata, Blume (L. colensoi, Hook.; L. heterophylla, Col.). The same reason which led me to bring forward the preceding plant causes me also to note here this fine and peculiar fern. Its original habitat, where I first detected it (in 1842), was on the banks of a brawling mountain-stream in the deep forests in the interior to the north-west of Lake Waikare, in the celebrated Urewera country, where, on those alluvial flats, it formed large and continuous strange-looking beds, through which it was difficult to force one's way, there being no path or track: this, however, was partly owing to the small driftwood and trees carried thither by heavy floods being concealed among its thickly-growing large fronds, so that one stumbled at every step, often getting ugly and painful knocks on one's shins. And here I may remark that, in travelling in those early times, and always on foot, in those places along the sides of streams in the wooded interior, the plan was to cross and recross the stream continually to the more open bank, there being no track whatever, the only guide for direction of one's course being the stream itself.

Here, however, in this Hawke's Bay bush district, I only know of one small isolated spot on the side of a mountain streamlet where it is found, and it grows there luxuriantly. I have never before met with it save in the interior. A few years ago, however, a settler at Woodville (an old Hawke's Bay resident), in clearing his section of land, found this fern there growing, and, being much surprised on seeing it, from its

(Litobrochia) pendula, Col.,^* and this I also notice because I have detected it in two other localities in this neighbourhood, but, as before (originally), hanging thickly down from shaded cliffy spots, sides of streamlets difficult of access. Some of the plants were very fine, of most luxurious growth, and looking tempting, so healthy and charming.

In three dry spots in particular, far apart from each other, in the deep forests between Dannevirke and the River Manawatu, I have often gazed with delight on thick-growing patches or beds of that extremely neat and graceful tender fern Asplenium flabellifolium, Cav., one of the most elegant of its genus. This wood variety (as I deem it) has much smaller pinnæ than this fern commonly has when growing in open places, and they are more finely and sharply cut, and its narrow linear fronds, being also much longer, give it a still more graceful appearance; its colour, too, is that of a most refreshing light emerald-green. All this, however, may naturally arise from its moist shady home in the forests. It forms compact and healthy beds by overlying itself considerably (stratum super stratum), the long and delicate fronds emitting at their extreme circinnate tips minute rootlets, which adhere to the soil when they touch it, when they again send out fresh stems, and so form new plants. This fern, however, is well known among us, and that deservedly, from its beauty as a living fern - decoration when suspended in a light wire basket, as well as from its being so easy of culture; and therefore I should not care to mention it here were it not that it is rapidly becoming very scarce, and those three spots in the dry and ancient woods were so exceedingly lovely that they have left their natural and truthful images deeply impressed on my mind; so true it is, “A thing of beauty is a joy for ever.”

Having briefly noticed some of our smaller handsome local and rarer ferns, I will now say a few words respecting the bigger ones—the giants of the fern order—although many of them are generally very commonly distributed throughout the colony, and more particularly in the wooded districts.

Come on then, my hearers! Come with me into a secluded calm and quiet dell, in a deep-shaded forest, far away from the haunts of man! Let us go to a sacred spot well known to me, and still remaining free from the incursions of the ruthless invader, both quadruped and biped! May such concealment long continue!

Here, at the level bottom of this dell, down whose stony sides we have been scrambling, through which a small purling streamlet of clear water winds its tortuous way, stand a

one sure to evoke feelings of an opposite character in the bosom of the beholder, for, if the former were of the “Penseroso” class, these would as surely pertain to the converse or the “Allegro” one.

Here, then, in another umbrageous solitude, is a similar lot or small natural secluded grove of tall tree-ferns, generally of the genus Cyathea; but their stout stems are entirely without that solemn-looking dead grey-brown wrapping, and, instead, they possess a most beautiful and elegant closely-compacted light-green and glossy dress, composed of very small living creeping ferns, pendulous and thickly imbricated like tiles on the roof of a house, often delightfully glistening when visited by a passing ray of sunshine. These small ferns are mostly composed of two species only—Trichomanes venosum, Br., and Hymenophyllum flabellatum, Labill.—and they do dwell together apparently in the most pleasing harmony, as if enjoying life. They often completely enwrap the whole large and tall trunk of the tree-fern from base to apex, all green and flourishing, without showing the smallest spot of intervening open space, evidently the perennial and steady growth of many years. These little ferns are something more than of epiphytal development, pertaining rather to that of quasi-parasitical, for their creeping rhizomes and roots penetrate deeply into or among the outer dead matted stipites and fibres of the tree-ferns on which they flourish.

Perhaps I had better end here respecting the tree-ferns. But then you, my audience, “dwellers at home at ease,” would only know half,—and that of my woodland joys: so it is but fair you should also know a little of my sorrows, otherwise you would remain in happy ignorance of them. These, however, I shall only briefly touch on, owing to the extreme disagreeableness of the theme.

And first of my majestic venerable-looking group. On my return on one occasion to one of those dear old haunts, I found, to my horror, that some Goth or churl had recently been there, and had set fire, separately, to each one of those eight or ten big tree-ferns! just to burn off their thick dry wrappings, the undisturbed growth of many years, and so to make a blaze; and there their blackened and half-charred stems stood, with their once lovely elastic crowns of fronds sadly scorched and stiffened above them—a piteous sight! I could fancy they even reproved me, and I could have wept.

I had long had good reasons for believing that my visits to that unfrequented part of that old forest, so difficult of access, were watched by one or more of the underlings or stockmen of the neighbouring sheep-station, who, I suppose, on his going thither after me, and not discovering what it was that could have induced me so frequently to visit that place (for the old

belief was that in such spots I was fossicking for gold), vented his disappointment in that way—by striking a match or matches and setting fire to those tree-ferns out of mere wantonness. Several such instances had occurred in former years during my sojournings at Norsewood, some of them having been caused by so-called “picnic” parties, and some by teetotallers—judging from the labels on the bottles left behind!

Before, however, that I quit this pre-eminently pleasing and loved subject of our New Zealand ferns, I would call your attention, and especially that of the young-lady portion of my audience, to an interesting, novel, and elegant sight I have several times seen and admired while residing in the bush; this, too, being an artificial and neat method of preserving them. To me, indeed, it was unique, never having before noticed anything of the kind.

A bunch or small bundle (I might almost term it a bouquet-de-plumes) of an assorted few of our larger ferns—viz., Polypodium pennigerum, Lomuria fluviatilis, Asplenium lucidum, Adiantum cunninghamii (the handsome species of maidenhair), Hymenophyllum dilatatum and H. demissum, and Pteris (Litobrochia) pendula (my new fern)—were loosely bound together much after the fashion of a sheaf of wheat, with the tips of the longer specimens gracefully drooping, and placed so as to stand erect on a black stand under a tall cylindrical glass with closed dome-shaped top. These were all perfect, pure-white—dead or frosted white like silver or tissue-paper, with every tiny leaflet fully expanded, and with the veins and seed-receptacles and capsules clearly and beautifully shown. The leaves, moreover, of some of them are thickish and obscure in their living state (as of Asplenium lucidum), but now they were equally thin and semi-transparent like those of the others.

I saw this elegant and peculiar specimen of art-decoration—so chaste and simple and yet so strikingly lovely—at the Club Hotel, in Woodville, in the larger parlour upstairs; I often admired it. There it stood, conspicuous among other ornaments, on the top of a high dark-coloured piano. I do not know how the remarkable change, which seems to be permanent, was effected; I made inquiries of the proprietor, but he being newly entered did not know. I am aware that very great alteration can be caused by bleaching vegetable fabrics with the fumes of burning sulphur, and this may have been so effected. Be that as it may, it seemed to me to be a new and easy mode of admirably and more completely displaying the hidden natural beauties of our lovely New Zealand ferns, and so I bring it to your notice.

One other little-known plant must, not be omitted from

this list—namely, Metrosideros tenuifolia, Col.,^* and this from its very peculiar manner of growth, its pleasing colour, and its strange homes. I only first detected this plant about a year ago, and then (like many others) it was confined to one spot, where, however, it grew abundantly. Since then I have noticed it growing in several places, but all similar—that is, on the sides of steep cliffs, all the better if somewhat concave. In such spots it revels, repeatedly overrunning itself, flourishing luxuriantly. It adheres very closely to the soil, like small-leaved ivy, in England, to trees. The great regularity of its little round and glossy leaves, and its numerous slender red branchlets, afford a charming picture. What an elegant plant for rock-work, and for a permanent stone or clay alcove or bower! But words fail to describe this lowly-living ever-green beauty.

There are yet some other peculiar plants, which, though small singly in themselves, and of no striking beauty to arrest the eye of the beholder, should not be overlooked, as they often impart, from their curious appearance and situation on the dead and dry overhanging branches of trees, additional solemnity to the shaded and secluded woodland scenery.

Of these are some of our larger and foliaceous tree-lichens, such as several species of the genus Sticta, viz.: S. fossulata, Dufour; S. freycinetii, Delise; S. argyracea and S. carpoloma, Delise; and Usnea barbata, Fries (“old-man's beard”), several varieties.

It is well known that lichens live to a very great age; they retain their vegetative and productive powers uninjured throughout the hottest and driest seasons on the highest and most exposed dead branches: although, on gathering them at such times, they crumble to fine powder in the act, yet, on their becoming wetted from rain or dew, they are soft and flaccid, and may be folded up without breakage or injury.

I have seen very large specimens of the above-mentioned lichens, some specimens of the Usnea (fitly termed “old-man's beard,” being thread-like, bushy, and pendent), 1ft.–2ft. long; and some specimens of Sticta extending from 1ft. to 18in. in diameter, and very fully and complexedly branched, their branches flat and bearing much fruit, which is often curiously and regularly placed like little shields or saucers on their margins.

They are all very numerous, and grow to perfection in damp gullies, especially on overhanging trees and shrubs in their sides in sheltered declivities; and often, when they are of a large size, and sombre lurid leathery appearance, hanging from the bare and dead branches, they give an uncanny,

is almost sure to arise from some one observant person in the carriage, “Why is it so? Why are these two plants alone so salamander-like as to live through the terrible ordeal of raging fire?” And mark, this inquiry arises from only one, who may be laughed at for it by the company—the many,

With the loud laugh that spoke the vacant mind.

For to the many there is nothing to be seen, nothing to be noticed, nothing worthy of observation in the whole scenery through which we are passing on both sides, whether botanical in charming variety and profusion, or geological as revealed by the varied horizontal strata in the sides of the deep cuttings through which we frequently thread our way. Such unobservant travellers and tourists too often remind one of Words-worth's “Peter Bell”:—

A primrose by a river's brim
A yellow primrose was to him,
And it was nothing more.

Of course, the answer to that question is an easy one, though the cause may not be known to all: these two plants belong to the endogenous class, whose living woody system is internal and central, and not on the outside, under the external bark, like those others of the exogenous class around, that have at the same time been burnt and so perished. Large tree-ferns 20ft. to 25ft. high are frequently to be seen on the edge of or a little way within a burnt forest—that is, their blackened burnt stems standing like charred and sooty pillars, while from their tops large crowns of young bright-green fronds are springing and spreading, and so presenting a curious and strange contrast. At the same time, not a single tree or shrub of that forest has escaped the ravages of the fire; all besides is dreary desolation, vegetable death.

There is yet another plant that is very common in the woods near the railway-lines which, from the great singularity of its appearance, deserves notice. It grows only on the upper large branches of trees, where it forms round ragged bunches of rather long grass or leek-like leaves, and sometimes several of such bunches are together, forming quite a big mass. It shows itself more conspicuously and strangely when growing on dead burnt and still standing trees, which is very frequently the case, and has often astonished me from its tenacity of life. How those small and feeble and exposed plants escaped the fiery doom which destroyed the big and stout trees root and branch on which they are still living and flourishing is a mystery to me. Further, the bark of many of those burnt trees has peeled off, leaving only their pale, bleached, denuded limbs, on which those plants still adhere

wavy reddish, thicker longer and subciliate at margins; 9–10-veined; veins pale, sunk in the upper surface, slightly conspicuous beneath; veinlets closely anastomosing, forming long narrow angular areoles; margins coarsely and irregularly crenate-serrate; petiole 1¾in. long, 2 lines wide, stoutish, brown, hairy; hairs long appressed strigillose reddish; stipules at base small narrow. Flowering-stems 9in. high, solid, stout below nearly ¼in. diameter, two springing together from a single basal leaf; leaf subovate acuminate, stout, lamina 3½in. long 1¼in. wide many-nerved (9); veinlets anastomosing; tip very obtuse; lateral margins coarsely serrate with 6–7 broad teeth, gradually tapering to base; petiole 1in. long, very broad flattish and thick, nerves continued down petiole; small stipules at base; each flower-stem trichotomous 4in. from base, surrounded by a pair of bract-like sessile oblong leaves 1½in. long; pedicels 1-flowered, stout, sub 6in. long, with (in one specimen) a whorl of three leafy bracts about the middle, subovate sessile, irregular in size and in cutting, the largest having a pair of large lateral teeth almost trifid, the others entire, hairy, margins ciliate; hairs wavy reddish; and in the other specimen with a single trifid bract. Flowers: Calyx pale greenish-yellow; sepals 5, linear obovate, ½in. long, sub 2 lines wide, tip obtuse, concave, distant, hairy, margins ciliate, much veined; vein single at base, 5-branched at middle and united at top. Corolla pale-yellow glistening, 1in. diameter; petals numerous (40–45) in 3 rows, recurved, cuneate, 8 lines long 2½ lines wide, much veined, more so than sepal; tip rounded very obtuse entire; base tapering, claw long; gland small orbicular, about 1 line above base. Anthers numerous, stout, before bursting broadly elliptic, afterwards elongated and much narrower, deeply channelled on back, very glossy, same colour as petals; stamens broad flattish as wide as anthers, 2-nerved. Carpels 0, but instead a few small greenish petaloid leaves, much incurved and forming a small green ball.

Hab. Ruahine Mountain-range, east side, near summits of lateral spurs; 1891: Mr. A. Olsen, Norsewood.

Obs. Of this fine and very peculiar plant I have only received two flowering specimens, both, however, in good condition. At first I thought it to be a “monster” flower of R. insignis, Hook., or of R. ruahinicus, Col.; but after a very close and patient examination and comparison I find it to be distinct, though, from its not possessing any carpels, but numerous small petals in their place, it may prove to be a “monster” (or double) flower.

2. R. longipetiolatus, sp. nov.

Plant erect, glabrous, stolons few, short. Roots numerous long wiry very slender; sometimes rooting at lower nodes of

flowering-stem. Leaves few, single, on tops of long petioles, spreading, in circumscription subreniform and narrow hemispherical, 1½in.–2in. long, 2½in.–3in. broad, trifoliolate, each lobe largely petiolulate subflabelliform and broadly cuneate, trilobulate, sinuses deep obtuse and very wide, lateral margins always entire, lobules trifid (and variously lacimate), generally with 1 large central and 2 small teeth their tips obtuse; petiolules slender sometimes 1in. long, veined; lamina thin largely veined, with numerous compound anastomosing veinlets and venules; petioles fistular, 7in.–10in. long, stout when fresh, with a long narrow stipule at base. Flowers few small, single on long erect peduncles, some directly from the rootstock 9in. long, others (and generally 1–3) distant on flowering-stem, axillary from a single cauline leaf and twice the length of its long petiole—sometimes 4in. long, occasionally 2 flowers springing together axillary on separate pedicels. Sepals 5, much shorter than petals, concave, inflated, tawny, glabrescent, 2½ lines long, broadly-ovate or oblong-rounded, tips very obtuse, 3-nerved, nerves flexuous, margin very membranous, white, pellucid. Petals 6, flat, narrow linear-spathulate, 4½ lines long, sub 1 line wide, tips obtuse and emarginate, tapering to base, pale-yellow glabrous, 5-nerved; nerves straight branching above not extending to tip; gland near base small, reaching across petal, hollow, depressed. Stamens short, sub 24; anthers elliptic slightly subapiculate. Achenia orbicular, turgid, sub 1 line diameter, slightly rugulose-muricatulate; styles same length, curved, slightly puberulous; stigma capitate, subpenicillate. Receptacle small elongated oblong subclavate, coarsely hairy at base.

Hab. In watercourses, forests near South Norsewood, County of Waipawa; 1882: W. C.

Obs. This species is certainly near to R. macropus, Hook., but on a close examination and comparison there will be found several grave differential characters. Indeed, it was owing to my having supposed it to be that species, or a variety of it, that I have so long delayed describing it; and to this opinion I was in great measure led through merely reading the specific description of that species as given in the Handbook. Besides, I had intended to revisit Norsewood and to obtain more and fresh specimens—which also caused me to put it off—which I have never since done. Now, however, on referring to the full and particular specific description of R. macropus (the type specimens found by me at Poverty Bay in 1839), as originally given by Sir Joseph Hooker in the “Icones Plantarum,” accompanied by a drawing and dissections (vol. vii., tab. DCXXXIV.), the differences are plain and great, and clearly shown in the drawing. That species has much larger sepals than petals, which peculiar character also caused Sir Joseph

Hab. On hills in the interior, Hawke's Bay; 1890–92: W. C.

Obs. I. A species primâ facie near to V. colensoi, Hook., but differing in several particulars—as, leaves smaller, subconcave and of another form; flowers pedicelled, bracts thin and longer than pedicels; lobes of calyx thin and ciliolate; corolla lobes very different, with puberulous throat; capsule larger, &c.

II. Named in honour of the illustrious Darwin who visited New Zealand, with Captain Fitzroy, in H.M.S. “Beagle,” in 1835, and with whom I had the honour and pleasure of spending Christmas Day in that year.

2. V. oligantha, sp. nov.

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Plant small herbaceous slender simple glabrous, suberect and decumbent, 3in.–6in. high, sometimes with a very few small branches, main stems and pedicels closely and finely puberulent. Leaves few rather distant, pale-green, broadlyovate and broadly-elliptic almost suborbicular, 2.½–3.½ lines long, 2–2.½ lines broad, margins cut-crenate, and those of the upper and calycine leaves finely ciliolate, tips obtuse rounded; midrib below keeled prominent; 3-nerved, largely veined, veins compoundly-anastomosing; petiolate, petioles sub 1 line long. Flowers very few, distant, small, single, axillary in cauline leaves in the upper part of the stem and terminal, usually 3–4 pairs, the lowest pair opposite, the upper ones alternate, pedicelled, pedicels erect stout nearly 2 lines long. Calyx 4-cleft to base, segments oblong, obtuse, 1-nerved, shorter than corolla. Corolla pale, small, 1.½ lines long, tube very short scarcely any, segments all rounded the upper one the largest; much veined, veins forked. Stamens long curved; anthers large exserted, orbicular, claret-coloured; style very long, longer than capsule, filiform, persistent; stigma large capitate. Capsule fawn-coloured, sub-reniform-orbicular 1/10in. broad, compressed, notch shallow with a few erect glandular hairs on upper margin. Seeds very minute, 50 and upwards in each capsule, oblong, thickish, centrally attached, palefawn colour.

Hab. Among grasses and other low herbage, banks of streams, edges of woods, south of Dannevirke, County of Waipawa; 1892: W. C.

Obs. Another small herbaceous species of this genus to be added to those already lately described by me (Trans. N.Z. Inst., vol. xxiv., pp. 391–393), and, though pretty closely related to them, distinct from all; perhaps V. macrocalyx is its nearest ally. This little plant is somewhat striking at first sight ffom its very pale-green leaves, and also, on examination, from the great regularity of its few flowers 3–4 pairs, of which, how-

blue; about 16 seeds in each; seeds black, shining, usually 3-sided, flat on two sides and rounded on the third, but when fewer in number gibbous.

Hob. “On the spurs and in the gullies of the Ruahine, Kaweka, and Kaimanawa Mountain-ranges, County of Hawke's Bay; alt. 2,000ft.–4,000ft. Sometimes growing in the woods, and sometimes in the open lands, but more generally along the edges of woods, and among scattered shrubs.”—Mr. Thomas Hallett, in lit., August, 1892.

Obs. I. Mr. Hallett also says in his interesting letter, “These trees vary in height from 6ft. to 30ft. but are generally about 12ft. high in open lands, and 20ft. in woods. The flowering - stem hangs down beside the trunk of the tree. The leaves sent were cut from a tree growing at 2,100ft. alt. above sea-level, and at about 7ft. above ground; there were 60 of them besides the small unfolded central ones; the diameter of the trunk was 6in. Each leaf in falling off leaves a ring on the stem, which becomes very indistinct after a few years; and, as several leaves grow every year, there are many rings formed, so that the age of the plant cannot be determined by them.”

II. I have long known this plant–from my first seeing it in its native habitat in the 30s, and often afterwards in the 40s, when travelling in the mountainous interior of this North Island, and also in following years occasionally cultivated in gardens^* —but had never seen its flowers; and from the description of Forster's plant, C. indivisa, obtained by him in the South Island (as given by Hooker), I always had a doubt of it being the same species as this one, which doubt was also further increased through my certain knowledge that Forster had never been in this North Island. And when I read “the valuable communication regarding the Cordylines” made by Sir James Hector to Sir Joseph Hooker, † ^† I felt pretty well confirmed in my opinion. Sir James Hector wrote,—

“5. C. indivisa. This is the broad-leaved deep-green ti, ^‡ with red veins, a single head, and long elegant flowers, that Forster found in Dusky Bay. The leaf has a slight resemblace to the true toii of Colenso, which has led to the confusion, no doubt.

“6. C. sp.? Toii. A large tree, with many heads, and huge broad massive leaves, yellowish, with yellow and red veins, and ponderous inflorescence with long bracts and black shiny seeds. This is the ti that the Natives use for mats, &c. The portion of the description of the Handbook which refers to C. indivisa, and which you got from Colenso, applies to this plant.”

To this Sir J. Hooker adds, “I have no Dusky Bay specimens of Forster's plant, but Colenso's agrees well with Forster's figure in the British Museum” (loc. cit.). And in my fully describing this northern species of Cordyline I have also, with very great pleasure, named it in honour of our wellknown scientific naturalist, Sir James Hector, K.C.M.G., M.D., F.R.S., &c., who had not only seen both species growing in their native habitats in his travels in the North and South Islands of New Zealand, but had at an early date (prior to 1864) called Sir Joseph Hooker's particular attention to their specific differences.

III. From time to time of late years I have made several endeavours to obtain both flowering and fruiting specimens of our northern subalpine Cordyline, but have always failed until this present year (1892), when, through Mr. Hallett's kindness and care, I obtained what I had so long sought; I having long known him, and he being a resident settler far away in the hilly interior, and pretty near the home of these plants, and well acquainted with them. To him I feel much indebted for the several packages of specimens in various states he so readily obtained and sent me, though at no small trouble and labour to himself, as well as for his interesting notes and letters concerning the plant. And, not being satisfied with the specific description of C. indivisa as given by Hooker, both in his “Flora Novæ-Zelandiæ” and in the Handbook, and not possessing the fifth volume of Kunth's “Enumeration” (though I have vols. 1–4), and finding, on inquiry, the said fifth volume was not here in the colony, I got a kind naturalist friend to write to Berlin to get a verbatim copy made from Kunth's work, and this I received a few months back, which with me settled the question concerning the specific differences of the two plants.

IV. In conclusion, I may observe that several striking primâ facie characters in this species here described do not accord with those of C. indivisa (vera), Kunth: e.g., Sir James Hector mentions its “long elegant flowers” (loc. cit.), and Sir Joseph Hooker also calls them “the large flowers,” with “its excessively thick and coriaceous leaves” (Handbook, p. 282), which leaves, however, are really smaller, as described by Kunth, who says of them, “2–4 pedes longa, medio 4–5 polli-caris, supra basin 1.½–2 poll. lata, rigide, coriacea”; and, further,

about two hundred separate packets. The Director, Mr. Thiselton-Dyer, soon put them into the hands of Dr. Cooke, the eminent fungologist, for examination and determination, as he had also done on former occasions.^* I have recently received from Kew the list of the same, as kindly named by Dr. Cooke; from which it appears that most of them were duplicates of those I had formerly transmitted, several, however, being better specimens, and also in different states of age and growth. These that are new to our New Zealand flora are here given; few of them I take to be really species novœ.

1.† ^† Agaricus, Linn.

• (Pleurotus) bursæformis, B.

• (Pleurotus) diversipes, B.

• (Pleurotus) sordulentus, Fr.

• (Collybia) laceratus, Lasch.

• (Pluteus) cervinus, Fr.

• (Pholiota) unicolor, Fr.

• (Pholiota) pumilus, Fr.

• (Flammula) vinosus, Fr.

• (Flammula) crociphyllus, C. and M.

• (Flammula) purpureo-nitens, C. and M.

• (Lepiota) imperfect.

• (Leptoma) æthiops, Fr.

• (Clitocybe) laccatus, Fr.

• (Psathyrella) disseminatus, Fr.

• (Leptonia) placidus, Fr.

• (Stropharia) semiglobatus, Fr.

4. Marasmius, Fries.

10. Polyporus, Fries.

16. Stereum, Fries.

• amænum, Kal.

• obliquum, B.

27. Geaster, Micheli.

30. Lycoperdon, Tournefort.

• australe, B.

• perlatum, Fr.

• constellatum.