[Read before the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, 4th August, 1897.]

Plate XLI. (in part).

This paper records the finding of a new species of moss in the neighbourhood of Sumner in August, 1896. It was found growing in small gregarious patches close to the Heathcote Estuary, on sandy soil, and liable to be occasionally submerged at high tides. When first found it was immature, and had the appearance of a Phascum, there being no ring on the capsule, nor any indications of a deciduous operculum, the cells being all uniform in size, and the cell-walls rather membranous; subsequently matured specimens were obtained, in which dehiscence had taken place, the division being horizontal along the apex of a row of cells about the middle of the capsule, leaving the mouth minutely crenate by the projecting of the upper ends of the cells. The walls of the capsule consist of one row of cells, and there is no peristome.

This plant, which I have made the type of a new genus, appears to me to occupy a position half-way between the Phascaceœ and the Bryaceœ.

I have named the new genus Dendia, after Dr. Dendy, Professor of Biology, Canterbury College, and this species maritima, from its being found growing close to the sea.

Description of Genus.

Description of Plant.