Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 1902 [electronic resource]

Volume 35, 1902

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Art. XL.—On the Musci of the Calcareous Districts of New Zealand, with Descriptions of New Species.

By Robert Brown

[Read before the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, 1st August, 1902.]

Plates XXXV.-XL.

The following contribution towards a better knowledge of the bryology of New Zealand consists of descriptions of species collected in various places in New Zealand since the genera to which the species belong were treated of by me in papers previously read before this Institute. The greater number of the species described in this paper were collected from cal-

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careous rocks, or on the débris of these—e.g., Castle Hill, Weka Pass, Kaikoura, and at Weston, near Oamaru. These districts, like calcareous districts in other countries, possess a special flora of their own which is strictly confined to these rocks, and thus far has not been found growing in any other habitats.

Grimier (Schistaria) argentea,^* described in a former paper read before this Institute, has only been found on the rocks at Castle Hill, and is very rare in that habitat.

Seligeria cardotii,^† also described in a former paper, was first found at Castle Hill, and since then it has been collected at the Weka Pass and near Oamaru. Bryum oamaruense,^‡ from the last-named district, is another rare moss, being confined to one piece of rock from 3 ft. to 4 ft. in diameter, and although I botanised all over the district for eight days I found it in no other habitat. In the interests of botany I left specimens of it sufficient to replenish the rock on which it grows.

Gymnostomum brotherusii, described in this paper, is another of these rare plants, being confined to a small abandoned quarry on Mr. Allen's property, about 20 yards wide, from which stone had been taken to form the road which passes near it. There are also several new species from the Oamaru district, which are rare, described in this paper.

Gymnostomum gibsonii, also described in this paper, has only been collected in the Kaikoura district; it is plentiful, and grows in strips along the bases of precipitous rocks in the South Bay, and, although common, is seldom found in fruit owing to the dryness of the habitats. There are also several other rare species from this neighbourhood described in this paper which have not been found thus far in any other locality.

From a geological point of view the rocks on which these plants grow are extremely interesting from the large number of fossils which they contain, but from a botanical one they present an arid uninteresting appearance, which has hitherto prevented a thorough examination of them being made to ascertain the number and positions of the plants that exist there. Only the larger ones have hitherto been collected, although in the crevices and out-of-the-way nooks and places there are to be found some of the smallest and rarest species of Musci in New Zealand. They are of much interest, some of them for their rarity, others for their extreme smallness, and all of them for the arid and adverse conditions under which they continue to exist.

[Footnote] * R. B., in Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1894, vol. xxvii., p. 412.

[Footnote] † R. B., in Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1894, vol. xxvii., p. 423.

[Footnote] ‡ R. B., in Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1898, vol. xxxi., p. 447.

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In November, 1889, while botanising at Castle Hill, my attention was attracted by a small round white object about ⅛ in. in size. It was attached to a dry perpendicular rock, exposed to the full glare of the sun. Thinking it was the nest of some small insect, I examined it with a pocket-lens, and was surprised to find it was a very small moss, with the leaves curled over an immersed capsule. This was the manner in which G. argentea was discovered. The whole plant was only ⅛in., with an unbranched stem and an immersed capsule.

Grimmia diminutum is also from the above-named rocks, being only ⅓ 2 in. One capsule of this moss is all that has been discovered. This district is a large one, and has not yet been fully examined, so that what exists in it has not been ascertained.

At Weston, near Oamaru, the calcareous rocks are most extensive, extending for miles in irregular masses, with high precipitous cliffs fronting in a south-western direction. From the base of these cliffs descends a steep bank, in several places some hundreds of feet high, as at Cormack's Siding, on the railway. Near this point the well-known non-calcareous diatomaceous ooze has been exposed in the railway-cutting; its depth is not known. Above this stratum and about halfway below the cliffs there is another stratum of diatomaceous ooze which is calcareous, and extends all along the district at about the same level. In several places the adjoining fields are nearly on a level with this stratum, and the plough has gone over it; but the line of the deposit was clearly seen all along these fields by the darker colour of the earth and pieces of it which had not mouldered into fine dust. On the steep portions of the bank, although generally covered with grass, it could be easily traced, being damp, slippery, and in places as plastic as clay. This bed had been opened in several places and a quantity of it taken away, and at these places it was dry. This stratum is from 20 ft. to 30 ft. in thickness, and it was near, or on the line of, this deposit that most of the mosses collected in this district were found. They were either on calcareous rocks which had fallen from the cliffs above, or on débris near them. To those who take an interest in this subject the above imperfect description will enable them to find the most interesting of the habitats in this district.

In the beginning of January, 1898, having arrived at Kaikoura on a botanical exploring expedition, and being anxious to collect on the high hill adjoining Mount Fyfe (on the summit of which snow still remained), and as I was unable in Kaikoura to obtain any information regarding the name of the hill or how to get on to it, I rose one morning early, and, after reconnoitring it at a distance, walked

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straight towards an opening between Mount Fyfe and the hill I wished to get on. Through this opening the River Hapuka emerges from the hills, the distance from Kai-koura being between seven and eight miles. Having arrived at this point early in the day, I was in hopes of being able to botanise on the hill for several hours, and also to reach the summit; but after travelling up the rough bed of the river for about a mile the banks approached close to the water's edge, and further progress up the stream was barred by high perpendicular rocks on both sides and a foaming torrent in front. Subsequently I tried to reach the hill by going up the creeks tributary to the Hapuka, but without success, as I found that none of them led anywhere near it. After having made the above attempt I was informed that the north branch of the Hapuka led to one of the northern spurs of the hill. The spur appeared a great distance away, and I did not attempt to reach it, but confined my operations to examining the vegetation on the river-banks until I arrived above a narrow gorge in the limestone rocks abraded by the water of the river. My reason for not attempting to get to the hill by this way was because I had on the previous day discovered a route about 200 yards below the torrent above mentioned. By climbing up the steep bank of the river the bush was reached, which led up to the open hill above the bush-line. When the limit of the bush was reached a thunder-storm came on, accompanied by heavy rain, which put an end to further research in that direction.

All the mosses recorded by me from the neighbourhood of Kaikoura in this and previous papers, with the exception of two, were collected in the district drained by the River Hapuka and its tributaries.

On several days during the time I remained in Kaikoura I botanised on the coast-line, an agreeable change from travelling on boulders in the river-beds. The line of coast from the south of the Mokonui River to within a few miles of the mouth of the Clarence River was examined, and in the sandy bed of the Mokonui, growing in the mud, was found the moss recorded in this paper as Trichostomum mokonuiense. It was rather scarce, and this so far is its only known habitat. The country from this river to near Kaikoura is flat and uninteresting, and at the season of the year I visited it was completely dried up. Near Kaikoura are numerous precipitous cliffs, and along their bases grows the moss named Gymnostomum gibsonii. It is very common, but is rarely found in fruit. These two mosses were the only new ones collected on a line of upwards of twenty miles.

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Genus Gymnostomum.

1. G. salmonii, sp. nov. Plate XXXV., fig. 1.

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Plants monœcious, perennial, growing in gregarious patches. Stems 1/9 2in., branching from the base. Leaves few and small, erecto-patent, ligulate, rounded at the apex, obtuse or acute; margins entire; nerve ending below the apex. Areola small. Perichœtial leaves longer than the stem ones and broader at the base, clasping the fruitstalk; nerve ending below the apex. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk slender, yellow, inclined, 5/16in. long. Capsule yellowish, ovate, very small, with a reddish ring round the mouth. Operculum nearly as long as the capsule, conico-rostrate, oblique, stoutish. Peristome none. Calyptra small, cucullate.

Hab. On damp limestone rocks near Weston, close to Oamaru. Collected by R. Brown, November, 1897.

This moss is very rare and local, and so small that the rock had to be cut with a knife to obtain the plants entire. So far this is the only habitat known. Named after Ernest S. Salmon, Kew House, Kew.

2. G. brotherusn, sp. nov. Plate XXXV., fig. 2.

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Plants monœcious, perennial, growing in large dense tufts as much as 7in. diameter, reddish-brown. Stem 1/1 4in. long, matted with radicles, branches fastigiate. Leaves imbricating, small, erecto-patent, ligulate, obtuse or rounded at the apex; margins entire; nerve ending below the apex. Areola: Upper small, roundish; lower oblong; nearly erect when dry. Perichœtial leaves smaller than the stem ones, innermost smallest, clasping the fruitstalk; nerve ending below the apex. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk red, inclined, about ¼in. long. Capsule inclined, ovate. Operculum stout, oblique, conico-rostrate, two-thirds the length of the capsule. Peristome none. Calyptra cucullate.

Hab. On wet rocks in a small abandoned quarry at Weston, near Oamaru. Collected by Robert Brown, November, 1897.

Plants rare, being confined to the above-named habitat.

Named after Dr. Brotherus, of Helsingfors.

3. G. gibsonii, sp. nov. Plate XXXV., fig. 3.

Plants monœcious, perennial, growing in dense patches about 1 in. high, bright-green above, brown below. Branches dense, fastigiat. Leaves small, closely imbricating, erectopatent or slightly recurving, linear-lanceolate, acute or acuminate; margins entire; nerve ending slightly below the apex. Areola: Upper small, roundish; lower larger, oblong; leaves erect when dry. Perichœtial leaves very similar to

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the stem ones; nerve ending below the apex. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk inclined, slender, pale, 5/16 in. long. Capsule short, ovate-oblong, narrowing towards the base. Peristome none. Operculum and calyptra not found.

Hab. At the base of calcareous cliffs, South Bay, Kaikoura. Common in this situation, but rarely fruiting; only known habitat. Collected by Robert Brown, January, 1898.

Named after Walter Gibson, Esq., Kaikoura.

4. G. parisii, sp. nov. Plate XXXV., fig. 4.

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Plants monœcious, perennial, growing in dense patches, green, ⅛in. high. Branches fastigiate. Leaves small, closely imbricating, ovate-subulate, tapering to an acute point or obtuse, and the nerve ending below the apex; margins entire; nerve disappearing in the acute leaves at the apex. Areola: Upper small, roundish; lower oblong; leaves erect when dry. Perichœtial leaves erect, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate; nerve ending below the apex. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk inclined, reddish, 3/16in. long. Capsule small, ovate-oblong or ovate. Operculum conico-rostrate, about one-half the length of the capsule. Peristome none. Calyptra cucullate.

Hab. On limestone débris at the head of one of the tributaries of the River Hapuka, north of Kaikoura. Collected by Robert Brown, January, 1898.

Named after General Paris, editor of the Revue Bryologique.

5. G. westlandicum, sp. nov. Plate XXXV., fig. 5.

Plants monœcious, perennial, growing in small patches, dark-green, ¼ in. high. Stem ⅛ in. Branches dense, ⅛ in., fastigiate. Leaves closely imbricating, erecto-patent, linear or linear - lanceolate, acuminate, slightly recurving; margins entire; nerve continued to the apex. Areola: Upper small, dense; lower quadrilateral; leaves crisp when dry. Perichœtial leaves erect, shorter than the stem ones and narrower, sheathing the fruitstalk, inner smallest. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk inclined, ⅛ in. long, pale. Capsule cylindric. Operculum conico-rostrate, half the length of the capsule. Peristome none. Calyptra not found.

Hab. On damp banks, west coast of the South Island. Collected by Robert Brown, January, 1902.

Genus Weissia.

6. W. kaikouraensis, sp. nov. Plate XXXV., fig. 6.

Plants monœcious, perennial, growing in small patches about ¼ in. high. Branches very short, fastigiate. Leaves closely imbricating, erecto-patent, subulate, base slightly broader, convolute in the upper half; margins minutely

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papillose; nerve disappearing below the apex. Areola: Upper small, dense; lower quadrilateral. Perichœtial leaves slightly smaller than the stem, ones, otherwise similar. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk inclined, 5/16 in. long. Capsule ovate or shortly ovate-oblong. Operculum oblique, conico-rostrate, as long as the capsule. Peristome single; teeth 16, in pairs. Calyptra not found.

Hab. North branch of the Hapuka. Collected by R. Brown.

7. W. (?) searelli, sp. nov. Plate XXXVI., fig. 7.

Plants monœcious, perennial, growing in very dense patches, reddish-brown above, congested below, with radicles about 1 in. high. Branches ⅛ in. long, fastigiate. Leaves small, imbricating, erecto-patent, linear or linear-lanceolate, rounded at the apex; margins entire, keeled; nerve ending below or at the apex. Areola: Upper small, oval; lower small, quadrilateral; leaves erect when dry. Perichœtial leaves erect, shorter than the stem ones, otherwise similar. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk ¼ in. long, red, twisted slightly when dry. Capsule small, ovate-oblong. Peristome single, red, incomplete. Operculum and calyptra not found.

Hab. On rocks, Jollie's Pass. Collected by Trist Searell.

Genus Pottia.

8. P. whittonii, sp. nov. Plate XXXVI., fig. 8.

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Plants monœcious, annual, growing in small patches, gregarious, 1/16 in. high, dark-green. Leaves imbricating, spreading or erecto-patent, small, oblong-apiculate, apex slightly incurved; margins entire; nerve excurrent. Areola: Upper large, roundish; lower quadrilateral; leaves twisted when dry. Perichœtial leaves slightly smaller than the stem ones, but otherwise similar. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk pale, ⅛ in. long, inclined. Capsule small, ovate. Operculum conico-rostrate, slightly oblique, about half the length of the capsule. Calyptra not found.

Hab. On damp banks near Weston, close to Oamaru, November, 1897. Collected by R. Brown.

Genus Dicranum.

9. D. cardotii, sp. nov. Plate XXXVI., fig. 9.

Plants diœcious, perennial, growing in small patches, yellowish-green, ⅜ in. high. Branches subfastigiate. Leaves imbricating, small, erecto-patent or spreading, flexuous, subulate from a quadrate sheathing-base; nerve faint, disappearing in the subulate point; margins minutely papillose. Areola: Upper dense; lower oblong, without large alar cells. Perichœ-

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tial leaves longer, erect, otherwise similar to the stem ones Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk about ⅓ in. long, slender, inclined, pale-red. Capsule small, narrowly ovate-oblong. Operculum long, oblique, conico-rostrate; beak long, slender, about a third longer than the capsule. Calyptra cucullate. Male inflorescence gemmiform on separate plants.

Hab. On damp banks, tributary of the River Hapuka, near Kaikoura. Collected by Robert Brown.

10. D. waimakaririense, sp. nov. Plate XXXVI., fig. 10.

Plants monœcious, perennial, growing in loose patches, pale yellowish-green, ¼ in.—½ in. high. Branches few. Leaves imbricating, erecto-patent or spreading, secund, ovate-subulate, lower half erect, sheathing the stem; margins entire; nerve disappearing in the subulate apex. Areola: Lower quadrilateral. Perichœtial leaves smaller, otherwise similar to the stem ones. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk inclined slightly, flexuous, red. Capsule inclined, ovate. Operculum stout, oblique, conico-rostrate, nearly as long as the capsule. Peristome single; teeth 16, lanceolate, bifid to near the middle, red. Calyptra small, cucullate.

Hab. On wet mud on the bed of the River Waimakariri. Collected by Robert Brown, August, 1899.

11. D. kowaiense, sp. nov. Plate XXXVI., fig. 11.

Plants monœcious, perennial, growing in dense dark-green patches ⅛ in.—¼ in. high. Branches short, fastigiate, ⅛ in. Leaves imbricating, erecto-patent or recurving from the-middle to the apex, linear, rounded or obtuse; margins entire; nerve ending below the apex. Areola: Upper small, round; lower quadrilateral. Perichœtial leaves slightly smaller, innermost smallest, linear, obtuse. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk ¼ in. long. Capsule small, ovate-oblong. Operculum oblique, conico-rostrate, about half the length of the capsule. Peristome single, irregular; teeth 16, bifid or perforated on the middle line. Calyptra cucullate.

Hab. On wet precipitous rocks in the gorge of the River Waimakariri, growing in company with D. tasmanicum, which it approaches in all its characters except size. Collected by Robert Brown, January, 1900.

Genus Trichostomum.

12. T. stanilandsii, sp. nov. Plate XXXVI., fig. 12.

Plants monœcious, gregarious, yellowish-green, ¼ in.—½ in. high, nearly simple. Leaves imbricating, secund, falcate, lower half ovate-lanceolate, upper half subulate, subcucullate at the apex; margins entire; nerve disappearing towards the apex. Areola: Upper small, dense; lower quadrilateral;

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leaves erect when dry. Perichœtial leaves slightly longer; lower half erect, sheathing, oblong; upper subulate, secund, falcate. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk inclined, slender, red, ⅜ in. long. Capsule cylindric, curved. Operculum conic, one-fifth the length of the capsule. Peristome single, fragile; teeth 16, linear. Calyptra cucullate.

Hab. On damp banks near Lake Kanieri, and on banks by the roadside near Hokitika. Collected by Robert Brown, January, 1902.

13. T. kanieriense, sp. nov. Plate XXXVII., fig. 13.

Plants perennial, monœcious, growing in small gregarious tufts about ½ in. high, pale yellowish-green. Branches few, short. Leaves imbricating, erecto-patent, ridged when moist, erect and incurved at the apex when dry, ovate or oblong-lanceolate, tapering to an obtuse point; margins entire; nerve continued to apex. Areola: Upper subrotund; lower linear-oblong. Perichœtial leaves longer than the stem ones, convolute, sheathing, the fruitstalk tapering to an obtuse point. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk inclined, ⅝ in. long, brown. Capsule long, cylindric, curved slightly. Operculum conico-subulate, one-seventh the length of the capsule. Peristome single; only a few broken teeth were found.

Hab. On damp banks near Lake Kanieri, West Coast. Collected by R. Brown, January, 1902.

14. T. whittonii, sp. nov. Plate XXXVII., fig. 14.

Plants perennial, growing in small patches about ¼ in. high, glaucous-green. Branches fastigiate. Leaves erecto-patent, slightly spreading, flexuous or recurving, linear - subulate, subconvolute, minutely toothed at the apex; nerve disappearing in the upper portion of the leaf. Areola: Upper small, quadrate; lower quadrilateral; leaves scarcely altered when dry. Perichœtial leaves similar to the stem ones. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk slender, red, ¼ in. long. Capsule cylindric. Peristome imperfect. Operculum and calyptra not found.

Hab. On damp banks, Staircase Gully, Mount Torlesse. Collected by R. Brown, January, 1900.

15. T. theriotii, sp. nov. Plate XXXVII., fig. 15.

Plants monœcious, perennial, growing in tufts, yellowish-green, ⅛ in.—½ in. high, branched from near the base, fastigiate. Leaves erecto-patent or slightly spreading, imbricating, very small, upper ones oblong or ovate - lanceolate, obtuse or rounded at the apex; margins entire; nerve ending below the apex. Areola: Upper subrotund: lower small, quadrilateral. Perichœtial leaves smaller than the upper ones, ligulate,

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innermost smallest; nerveless. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruit-stalk slender, 3/16 in. long, inclined, pale. Capsule very small, cylindric. Being overmatured, neither the operculum, peristome, nor calyptra were seen, but the moss is undoubtedly a Trichostomum. It had fruited freely, but insects had destroyed nearly all the capsules.

Hab. Seams of rocks near Kaikoura. It appears to be rare, as only a small portion was obtained. Collected by R. Brown, January, 1896.

Named after M. J. Theriot, Directeur de L'Ecole Primaire Superieure du Havre.

16. T. mokonuiense, sp. nov. Plate XXXVII., fig. 16.

Plants monœcious, small, gregarious, yellowish - green, ⅛ in.–¼ in. high. Branches fastigiate. Leaves small, erecto-patent, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, subacute, semi-convolute, slightly incurving at the apex; margins entire; nerve slender, continued to the apex. Areola: Upper small, sub-rotund; lower quadrilateral; leaves incurved at the apex when dry. Perichœtial leaves erect, smaller than the upper stem ones, lanceolate, acute; margins entire; nerve continued to the apex. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk slender, ¼ in. long, reddish. Capsule small, cylindric. Operculum narrow, conico-rostrate, two-thirds the length of the capsule. Peristome single; teeth 16, linear. Calyptra cucullate.

Hab. On damp mud in the bed of the River Mokonui, near its junction with the sea. Collected by Robert Brown, January, 1898.

Genus Orthotrichum.

17. O. oamaruense, sp. nov. Plate XXXVII., fig. 17.

Plants perennial, monœcious, growing in small dense tufts ¼ in.–½ in. high, dark-green above, black below. Stem short, subdichotomously branched. Branches fastigiate. Leaves imbricating, erecto-patent, oblong-lanceolate, acute; margins recurved, occasionally plain, entire; nerve slender, keeled, disappearing at the apex. Areola: Upper small, dense; lower quadrilateral. Perichœtial leaves slightly smaller than the stem ones, erect. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruit-stalk extremely short. Capsule narrow, elliptic, immersed in the perichætial leaves. Operculum stout, one-quarter the length of the capsule. Peristome single; teeth 8, slightly perforated near the apex. Calyptra small, mitriform, pilose.

Hab. On limestone rocks near Weston, close to Oamaru. Collected by R. Brown, November, 1897.

18. O. oamaruanum, sp. nov. Plate XXXVII., fig. 18.

Plants perennial, monœcious, growing in small dense tufts, brown above, dark-brown below, ⅜ in.–½ in. high, dichoto-

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mously branched, subfastigiate. Leaves imbricating, erecto-patent, ovate-lanceolate, acute or obtuse; margins recurved below the apex; nerve keeled, disappearing below the apex. Areola: Upper small, dense; lower small, quadrilateral; leaves erect and adpressed when dry. Perichœtial leaves similar to the stem ones, but rather more subulate at the apex. Fruit acrocarpous. Capsule small, subsessile, turbinate, narrowed at the mouth. Operculum straight, conico-rostrate, about one-third the length of the capsule. Peristome single; teeth 8, scarcely cohering on the middle line, bifid to near the base, membranous. Calyptra mitriform, slightly pilose near the apex.

Hab. On limestone rocks near Weston, close to Oamaru. Collected by R. Brown, November, 1897.

19. O. beckettii, sp. nov. Plate XXXVIII., fig. 19.

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Plants perennial, monœcious, growing in tufts, light-green above, brown below, 1 ½ in.–2 in. high, - subdichotomously branched. Branches fastigiate. Leaves imbricating, erecto-patent or spreading, ovate-lanceolate, acute or acuminate from an erect sheathing-base; margins minutely papillose towards the apex; nerve ending at or below the apex; nearly erect when dry. Areola: Upper small, oval; lower linear near the base. Perichœtial leaves smaller than the upper ones, erect, linear-lanceolate, acute. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk about 1/16 in. long, erect. Capsules oval, from 1 to 6 together, most commonly 3; paraphyses numerous. Operculum not found. Peristome double; outer teeth 8, dense; inner 8, alternate with the outer ones, free to the base, composed of two rows of round cells. Calyptra small, mitriform, pilose.

Hab. On bark of trees, Otira Gorge. Collected by R. Brown, January, 1902.

20. O. otiraense, sp. nov. Plate XXXVIII., fig. 20.

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Plants perennial, monœcious, growing in tufts ½ in. high, yellowish-green, dichotomously branched. Branches fastigiate. Leaves imbricating, erecto-patent, slightly flexuous, narrowly ovate - lanceolate, acute, concave; margins entire; nerve ending at the apex; leaves crisp when dry. Areola: Upper small, round; lower small, quadrate. Perichœtial leaves nearly erect, narrowly ovate-lanceolate, acute. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk 3/16 in. long, flexuous. Capsule exserted, ovate. Operculum not found. Peristome single, tight, imperfect. Calyptra small, mitriform, very pilose.

Hab. On bark of trees, Otira Gorge. Collected by R. Brown, January, 1902.

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Genus Bryum.

21. B. foresterii, sp. nov. Plate XXXVIII., fig. 21.

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Plants perennial, monœcious, growing in dense patches dark-green, brown below, ⅛ in. high. Branches 1/16 in., fastigiate. Leaves small, densely imbricating, erecto-patent, tapering from a broad base to an acuminate point or a narrow triangular acuminate outline; margins entire; nerve stout, keeled, ending at the apex or disappearing near it. Areola: Upper obliquely quadrilateral, becoming larger below; leaves erect when dry. Perichœtial leaves about half smaller than the stem ones, nearly erect, deltoid, acuminate. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk inclined, about ¼ in. long, curved at the apex, dark-red. Capsule pendular or horizontal, narrow, pyriform. Operculum mammillate. Peristome and calyptra not seen.

Hab. On calcareous rocks near Weston, close to Oamaru. Collected by R. Brown, 18th November, 1897.

Named after Mr. Forester, Harbourmaster, Oamaru.

22. B. whittonii, sp. nov. Plate XXXVIII., fig. 22.

Plants small, perennial, gregarious, ¼ in. high, yellowish-green. Stem nearly simple, fastigiate. Leaves imbricating, subsecund, flexuous or spreading, falcate, linear-subulate, acuminate; margins entire; nerve disappearing below the apex. Areola: Upper obliquely quadrilateral; lower larger; leaves scarcely altered when dry. Perichœtial leaves smaller than the upper ones, innermost smallest. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk ½ in. long, curved at the apex, slender, pale-red. Capsule horizontal, ovate, narrowing into the fruitstalk. Operculum conic, about one-sixth the length of the capsule. Peristome double; outer teeth 16, linear-lanceolate; inner, 16 cilia, alternating with the outer ones, membranous, united near the base. Calyptra not found.

Hab. On damp banks near Kaikoura; appears to be rare. Collected by R. Brown, January, 1898.

23. B. barrii, sp. nov. Plate XXXVIII., fig. 23.

Plants perennial, growing in dense patches, dark-green, ½ in.–¾ in. high, slender, irregularly branched. Branches slender. Leaves small, imbricating, erecto-patent or flexuous, narrow, ovate-subulate, acute; margins entire; nerve disappearing below the apex. Areola: Upper narrow, obliquely quadrilateral; lower larger; leaves erect when dry. Perichœtial leaves linear-subulate; nerve ending below the apex. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk slender, pale-red, curved at the apex, ½ in. long. Capsule horizontal or pendular, shortly

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ovate-oblong. Operculum conic, one-fifth the length of the capsule. Peristome double; outer teeth 16, linear-lanceolate; inner membranous, 16 cilia, alternating with the outer ones, united below.

Hab. On damp banks on the west coast of the South Island. Collected by R. Brown, January, 1902.

24. B. theriotii, sp. nov. Plate XXXVIII., fig. 24.

Plants perennial, monœcious, growing in small tufts about ⅜ in. high. Branches short, fastigiate, darkish-green. Leaves imbricating, erecto-patent, small, short, ovate, acute or acuminate; margins entire; nerve excurrent. Areola: Upper narrow, obliquely quadrilateral; lower ones larger. Perichœtial leaves smaller than the upper ones, triangular; nerved to the apex. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk inclined, ½ in. high, curved at the apex. Capsule large, oval. Operculum short, convex. Peristome double; outer teeth 16, lanceolate; inner 16, membranous, alternating with the outer, united below the base.

Hab. On damp rocks, head of Governor's Bay, Port Lyttelton. Collected by B. Brown, January, 1899.

Genus Blindia, Wils.

25. B. theriotii, sp. nov. Plate XXXIX., fig. 25.

Plants perennial, diœcious, growing in patches ¾ in. high, yellow-green above, pale-brown below. Branches fastigiate. Leaves closely imbricating, secund, recurving or erecto-patent, subulate from a short broad erect sheathing-base; nerve disappearing in the subulate portion; scarcely altered when dry. Areola: Upper linear; lower quadrilateral, with large quadrate alar cells at the basal angles. Perichœtial leaves smaller, erect, with an oblong sheathing-base, and the upper half subulate. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk curved, about ¼ in. long. Capsule small, rotund; mouth narrow. Operculum conico-rostrate; beak subulate, straight, two-thirds the length of the capsule, which is immersed among the leaves when moist, erect when dry. Peristome single; teeth 16, lanceolate, sometimes perforated, upper two - thirds membranous. Calyptra cucullate.

Hab. On wet rocks or banks,. Staircase Gully and Cascade Creek, Mount Torlesse. Collected by R. Brown, January, 1900.

26. B. (?) torlessensis, sp. nov. Plate XXXIX., fig. 26.

Plants perennial, growing in small dense tufts about ¼ in. high, yellowish-brown, branching irregularly, subfastigiate. Leaves loosely imbricating, erecto-patent, subulate from a short

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ovate erect sheathing-base, subulate portion twice the length of the base; margins entire; nerve disappearing in the subulate point. Areola: Upper quadrate; lower quadrilateral; leaves erect when dry. Perichœtial leaves slightly longer than upper ones, but otherwise similar to them. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk inclined, 5/16 in. long, red. Capsule subturbinate; mouth wide. Peristome single; teeth 16, red, bifid for one-third of their length. Operculum stout, oblique, conico-rostrate about half the length of the capsule. Calyptra not found.

Hab. Damp banks, Mount Torlesse. Collected by R. Brown, December, 1896.

Genus Grimmia.

27. G. (Schistidium) oamaruense, sp. nov. Plate XXXIX., fig. 27.

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Plants monœcious, perennial, growing in small patches 3/16 in. high, brownish, branched from the base. Branches fastigiate. Leaves closely imbricating, erecto-patent, oblong-lanceolate, acute, with a minute hyaline tip; margins recurved or plain; nerve continued to the apex, keeled; leaves erect when dry. Areola small, roundish to the base. Perichœtial leaves smaller than the upper ones, innermost smallest, oblong-lanceolate, acute. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk extremely short. Capsule turbinate, small, immersed in the perichætial leaves. Operculum mammillate or convex-apiculate. Peristome 16, lanceolate, tapering to a slender point, red, entire or perforated.

Hab. On damp calcareous rocks near Weston, close to Oamaru. Collected by R. Brown, November, 1897.

28. G. turneri, sp. nov. Plate XXXIX., fig. 28.

Plants perennial, monœcious, growing in tufts, dark-green above, nearly black below, ⅛ in.–¾ in. high, dichotomously branched, fastigiate. Leaves closely imbricating, erecto-patent or recurving, linear-lanceolate, obtuse, concave, slightly cucullate at the apex; margins entire; nerve keeled, ending close to the apex. Areola: Upper small, dense; lower quadrilateral; leaves crisp when dry. Perichœtial leaves semi-convolute, about the size of the upper ones. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk erect or inclined, ⅛ in. long. Capsule ovate. Operculum conico-rostrate; beak slender, straight, about two-thirds the length of the capsule. Peristome single; teeth 16, irregular, bi- or tri-fid, perforated. Calyptra mitriform, as long as the capsule, furred.

Hab. On rock on the north side of Mount Torlesse. Collected by R. Brown, January, 1900.

This is the only known habitat. Named after T. Turner, Esq., seed-merchant, Christchurch.

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29. G. barrii, sp. nov. Plate XXXIX., fig. 29.

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Plants perennial, monœcious, growing in small green tufts about ¼ in. high. Stem ⅛ in. Branches arising below the perichætial leaves, ⅛m., fastigiate. Leaves closely imbricating, lower half of leaves oblong-lanceolate, upper half tapering into a subulate point, incurving in the upper part, subconvolute, acute; margins entire; nerve ending at the apex. Areola: Upper dense; lower quadrilateral; leaves crisp when dry. Perichœtial leaves: Lower half erect, sheathing; upper half incurved. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk erect or inclined, 3/16 in. long. Capsule narrow-turbinate, annulate. Operculum convex-rostrate, two-thirds the length of the capsule; beak long, slender. Peristome single; teeth 16, regular, entire, lanceolate. Calyptra mitriform.

Hab. On calcareous rocks near Weston, close to Oamaru. Collected by R. Brown, November, 1897.

Named after Peter Barr, V.M.H., F.R.H.S., M.R.A.S.

30. G. hutchinsonii, sp. nov. Plate XXXIX., fig. 30.

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Plants perennial, monœcious, growing in small dense tufts ¼ in. high, yellowish-green. Branches 1/16 in., fastigiate. Leaves small, erecto-patent, imbricating, oblong-lanceolate, tapering into a hyaline hair-point; margins entire; nerve keeled, ending at the hair-point; erect when dry. Areola: Upper small, dense; lower quadrilateral. Perichœtial leaves erect, larger than the stem leaves, hair-points longer. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk 1/16 in. long, hygrometric, curved when moist, erect when dry. Capsule small, oval, annulate. Operculum conic. Peristome single; teeth 16, dark - red, shortly bifid at the apex. Calyptra small, mitriform.

Named after Mrs. Hutchinson, of Kirn, Scotland.

Hab. On calcareous rocks near Weston, close to Oamaru. Collected by R. Brown, November, 1897.

31. G. kaikouraensis, sp. nov. Plate XL., fig. 31.

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Plants perennial, monœcious, growing in small dense tufts 1/14 in. high. Branches short, fastigiate. Leaves closely imbricating, erecto-patent, recurved close to the apex, elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, tapering into the hyaline hair-point; margins entire; nerve slender, ending at the hair-point; erect when dry. Areola: Upper small, dense; lower quadrilateral. Perichœtial leaves shorter and narrower than the stem ones, erect, sheathing the base of the fruitstalk, linear-acuminate, with a short hair-point. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk ⅛ in. long, hygrometric at the middle. Capsule obovate or turbinate. Operculum conic or submammillate, one-third the length of the capsule. Peristome single; teeth 16, irregular Calyptra small, cucullate.

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Hab. On damp rocks near Kaikoura. Collected by R. Brown.

Genus Tortula.

32. T. oamaruensis, sp. nov. Plate XL., fig. 32.

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Plants perennial, monœcious, gregarious, 3/16 in. high, dark-green. Branches few, fastigiate. Leaves small, erecto-patent, slightly recurved, oblong, rounded at the apex, acute; margins recurved; nerve excurrent as an apiculus. Areola: Upper small, roundish; lower quadrilateral. Perichœtial leaves erect, very small, broadly ovate, acuminate. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk ⅛ in. long. Capsule small, ovate. Operculum conic, apiculate. Trace of the tube of a peristome was all that was found. Calyptra unknown.

Hab. On damp banks near Weston, close to Oamaru. Collected by R. Brown, November, 1897.

This plant was imperfect; it appears to be rare, but from its small size is easily overlooked.

33. T. arida, sp. nov. Plate XL., fig. 33.

Plants perennial, monœcious, growing in dense tufts, dark-brown, ¼ in. high. Branches arising from near the base, fastigiate. Leaves erecto-patent, closely imbricating, ovate-lanceolate, acute, slightly contracted in the middle with a minute hyaline point at the apex; margins entire; nerve stout, continued to the apex; crisp when dry. Areola: Upper small, dense; lower quadrilateral. Perichœtial leaves erect, shorter and narrower than the upper ones. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk red, ¼ in. long. Capsule cylindric, gibbous. Operculum nearly as long as the capsule, conico-rostrate; beak long. Peristome single, twisted; teeth one-third longer than the tube. Calyptra large, cucullate.

Hab. In small holes on calcareous rocks near. Weston, close to Oamaru. Collected by R. Brown, November, 1897.

34. T. oamaruana, sp. nov. Plate XL., fig. 34.

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Plants perennial, monœcious, growing in small dense tufts ¼ in. high, almost black. Branches fastigiate. Leaves closely imbricating, erecto-patent, lanceolate, acuminate, erect at the base; margins entire; nerve stout, continued to the apex, keeled; crisp when dry. Areola: Upper small, dense; lower large, quadrilateral. Perichœtial leaves erect, nearly as large as upper stem ones, oblong-lanceolate, acuminate. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk 3/16 in. long, stout. Capsule oblong, slightly curved, narrowed at the mouth. Operculum stout, conico-rostrate, slightly oblique, about half the length of the capsule. Peristome twisted, tube very short. Calyptra large, cucullate.

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Hab. In small holes on calcareous rocks near Weston, close to Oamaru. Collected by R. Brown, November, 1897.

This plant differs from the preceding one in the acuminate leaves, the smaller capsule, shorter operculum, and the larger perichætial leaves.

35. T. hutchinsonii, sp. nov. Plate XL., fig. 35.

Plants perennial, monœcious, growing in dense tufts or small patches, dark-green, ⅛ in. high. Branches fastigiate. Leaves closely imbricating, erecto-patent, oblong, round at the apex or ligulate; margins entire or recurved; nerve stout, excurrent, has a long hyaline hair-point; crisp when dry. Areola: Upper small, dense; lower quadrilateral. Perichœtial leaves about one-half shorter and narrower than the upper ones. Fruit acrocarpous. Fruitstalk ½ in. long, red. Capsule cylindric, slightly curved, annulate, persistent. Operculum stout, conico-rostrate, slightly oblique, one-third the length of the capsule. Peristome twisted, tube very short. Calyptra cucullate.