hymenium, projecting slightly, encrusted or naked, walls 0.5-3μ thick, hyaline in upper, brown in lower cystidia. Paraphysate hyphae arising in the intermediate layer and projecting above the basidia, hyaline, apically branched, coated with fine, refractive, hyaline crystals. Spores suballantoid, less frequently cylindrical with rounded ends, 9-12 × 4-4.5μ, usually apiculate, walls smooth, hyaline, 0.2μ thick.

Type Locality. Europe.

Distribution. Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand.

Habitat. Effused on bark or wood of dead, fallen or attached twigs and small branches.

Albizzia lophantha Benth. Auckland: Mt. Albert, August, 1948, D. W. McKenzie.

Alectryon excelsum Gaertn. Wellington: Carter's Bush, Carterton, 150ft, November, 1950, J. M. Dingley. Same locality, December, 1952, G. H. C.

Beilschmiedia tawa (A. Cunn.) Hook. f. & Benth. Auckland: Taneatua Reserve, 50ft, May, 1952, G. H. C.; Earthquake Flat, Rotorua, 1,500ft, June, 1952, G. H. C. Wellington: Pohangina Reserve, 200ft, August, 1954, G. H. C.

Brachyglottis repanda Forst. Auckland: Lake Okataina, 1,200ft, September, 1950, G. H. C.; Huia, November, 1952, J. M. Dingley; Waiomo Valley, Thames, August, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Carpodetus serratus Forst. Auckland: Moumoukai Valley, Hunua Range, October, 1946, J. M. Dingley.

Citrus limonia Osbeck. Auckland: Henderson, May, 1949, M. H. Dye.

Coprosma australis (A. Rich.) Robinson. Auckland: Coromandel Road, 800ft, August, 1954, J. M. Dingley; Mt. Te Aroha, 1,500ft, September, 1954, G. H. C.

Coprosma robusta Raoul. Auckland: Kohekohe, February, 1952, J. M. Dingley; Awhitu Peninsula, 500ft, January, 1954, G. H. C; Mt. Te Moehau, 600ft, October, 1954, J. M. Dingley; Hadfield Beach, August, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Coriaria arborea Linds. Auckland: Te Araroa, 600ft, May, 1952, G. H. C.

Cyathea dealbata (Forst. f.) Swartz. Auckland: Mt. Eden, 350ft, February, 1954, G. H. C.

Eucalyptus sp. Auckland: Campbell's Bay, October, 1947, Mrs. E. E. Chamberlain.

Hebe salicifolia (Col.) Ckn. & Allan. Auckland: University College grounds, August, 1948, D. W. McKenzie; Hick's Bay, 300ft, May, 1952, G. H. C. Wellington: Turakina Valley, 200ft, January, 1954, G. H. C.

Juglans regia L. Auckland: Mt. Albert, September, 1951, J. M. Dingley.

Knightia excelsa R. Br. Auckland: Rereatukahia Reserve, Katikati, 300ft, September, 1954, G. H. C.

Leptospermum scoparium Forst. Auckland: Rangitoto Island, June, 1954, S. D. Baker.

Ligustrum vulgare L. Auckland: Mt. Albert, September, 1953, J. M. Dingley; Cornwallis, December, 1953, J. D. Atkinson.

Macropiper excelsum (Forst. f.) Miq. Auckland: Huia, 50ft, November, 1945, G. H. C. Wellington: Kahuterawa River, 300ft, October, 1930, G. H. C.

Melicytus ramiflorus Forst. Auckland: Waiomo Valley, Thames, August, 1954, S. D. Baker.

Meryta sinclairii (Hook. f.) Seem. Auckland: Mt. Eden, 350ft, March, 1950, G. H. C.

Myoporum laetum Forst. f. Auckland: Purewa Bush, May, 1949, D. W. McKenzie.

Nerium oleander L. Auckland: Mt. Eden, 350ft. October, 1953, G. H. C.

Nothopanax arboreum (Forst. f.) Seem. Auckland: Mamaku Forest. 1,800ft, December, 1953, G. H. C.; Mt. Te Aroha, 1,100ft, December, 1953, G. H. C.; Rereatukahia Reserve, Katikati, 300ft., September, 1954, G. H. C.

Olearia rani (A. Cunn.) Ckn. Auckland: Mt. Te Aroha, 1,000ft, December, 1953, G. H. C.

Olearia virgata Hook. f. Auckland: Upper Mohaka Valley, Kaimanawa Ranges, 2,000ft, May, 1953, J. M. Dingley.

Pittosporum tenuifolium Banks & Sol. Auckland: Kauri Park, Northcote, September, 1951, J. M. Dingley; Campbell's Bay, July, 1953, J. M. Dingley; Auckland Domain, July, 1953, S. D. Baker.

Rubus fruticosus L. Wellington: Pohangina Reserve, 200ft, August, 1954, G. H. C.

Vitex lucens Kirk. Auckland: Huia, March, 1953, J. M. Dingley.

Peniophora lycii, P. cinerea, P. nuda and the extrahmital P. violaceo-livida form a small group of related species. In all the context is waxy and composed of brown hyphae firmly cemented by their walls, spores are small and suballantoid, and the surface is coloured some shade of grey. Probably they are perennial, though specimens with one or two zones of context are most frequently collected. Thanks to the excellent paper of J. Eriksson (1950) it is possible to separate them readily upon features given in the key.

P. lycii is the most abundant of the group found in New Zealand and shows a partiality for dead twigs attached to living plants. Its chief differential feature is the presence in the hymenium of branched paraphysate hyphae which sometimes develop additionally in the context. They may be conspicuous and appear like antlers, or delicate with one or two branches only, and are coated with fine refractive crystals which may extend to contiguous basidia, paraphyses and projecting cystidia. Spores are larger than those of P. cinerea and P. nuda, consequently as they are always present, these two features enable the species to be identified readily.

2. Peniophora cinerea (Fries) Cooke, Grevillea, 8, 20, 1879 Text-fig. 2.

• Thelephora cinerea Fr., Syst., Myc., 1, 453, 1821.

• T. obscura Pers., Myc. Eur., 1, 146, 1822.

• T. tiliae Pers, Myc. Eur., 1, 147, 1822.

• Corticium cinereum Fr., Epicrisis, 563, 1838.

Hymenophore perennial, ceraceous, adnate, at first appearing as numerous small orbicular or elliptical scattered colonies which remain discrete or coalesce to form linear areas 12-20 × 1-3 cm; surface some shade of grey, often tinged violet, heliotrope, or pinkish, when old bay- or umber-brown, even or when in small groups often tuberculate, finally deeply laterally creviced; margin adnate, either thinning out or abrupt with concolorous or darker border, byssoid. Context dark brown and glistening in section, 60-240μ thick, of one or several zones each composed of a scanty basal layer of parallel cemented coloured hyphae, and an intermediate layer of vertical compacted hyphae and embedded cystidia; generative hyphae to 5μ diameter, walls 1-1.5μ thick, chestnut-brown, naked, branched, septate, with clamp connexions. Hymenial layer to 40μ deep, composed of basidia, paraphyses and cystidia compacted into a dense hyaline pali-

Text-fig. 2.—Peniophora cinerea (Fr.) Cke. Text-Fig. 3.—Peniophora nuda (Fr.) Bres. Transverse sections, X 500. Original.

sade. Basidia subclavate, 20-28 × 5-6μ, projecting slightly, 4-spored; sterigmata slightly curved, to 4μ long. Paraphyses subclavate, about two-thirds the length of the basidia. Cystidia scattered through the intermediate and hymenial layers, some projecting slightly, at first fusiform and naked, becoming conical with prominent coloured pedicels, 24-32 × 10-16μ, walls coarsely crystal coated, cystidia in the base oval or pyriform, 18-24μ broad. Spores suballantoid, 7-8.5 × 3-3.5μ, apiculate, walls smooth, hyaline, 0.2μ thick.

Type Locality. Sweden.

Distribution. Europe, Great Britain, North America, Australia. New Zealand.

Habitat. Effused on bark or decorticated wood of dead branches.

Aristotelia serrata (Forst. f.) Oliver. Auckland: Moumoukai Valley, Hunua Range, October, 1946, J. M. Dingley; Otau, Hunua Range, April, 1950, J. M. Dingley. Otago: Ryan's Creek, Stewart Island, February, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Beilschmiedia tawa (A. Cunn.) Hook. f. & Benth. Auckland: Lake Okataina, 1,500ft, June, 1952, G. H. C. Wellington: Lake Papaetonga, 50ft, September, 1953, G. H. C.

Blechnum filiforme (A. Cunn.) Ettingsh. Wellington: Lake Papaetonga, 50ft, September, 1953, G. H. C.

Brachyglottis repanda Forst. Auckland: Whitianga Road, Coromandel Peninsula, 500ft, August, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Coprosma robusta Raoul. Auckland: Parahaka Gorge, February, 1931, M. Hodgkins; Rangitoto Island, June, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Coriaria arborea Linds. Auckland: Oratia, Waitakeres, 900ft, July 1954, J. M. Dingley; Wairakei, 1,200ft, October, 1953, A. Hastings; Huia, February, 1954, J. M. Dingley. Wellington: Turakina Valley, 200ft, January, 1954, G. H. C.

Dacrydium cupressinum Sol. Auckland. Mairoa March, 1953, J. M. Dingley.

Elaeocarpus dentatus (Forst.) Vahl. Westland: Harihari, November, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Leptospermum ericoides A. Rich. Auckland: Kauaeranga Valley, Thames, October, 1950, J. M. Dingley; Bethell's Road, Waitakeres, 800ft, October, 1951, J. M. Dingley.

Leptospermum scoparium Forst. Auckland: Mt. Te Aroha, 1,100ft, December, 1953, G. H. C.; Huia, 150ft, January, 1954, E. E. Chamberlain. Otago: Ryan's Creek, Stewart Island, February, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Metrosideros perforata (Forst.) A. Rich. Otago: Ulva Islet, Stewart Island, February, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Metrosideros tomentosa A. Rich Auckland. Rangitoto Island, August, 1954, S. D. Baker.

Nothofagus cliffortioides (Hook. f.) Oerst. Wellington: Ohakune, 2,000ft, December, 1953, J. M. Dingley.

Nothofagus fusca (Hook. f.) Oerst. Westland: Staircase Creek, 2,000ft, November, 1952, S. D. Baker.

Phyllocladus alpinus Hook. f. Auckland: Mt. Tongariro, 2,600ft, February, 1952, G. H. C.

Pittosporum tenuifolium Banks & Sol. Auckland: Waitetoko, Taupo, January, 1954, S. D. Baker.

Quintinia serrata A. Cunn. Westland: Pukekura, November, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Suttonia salicina Hook. f. Auckland: Little Barrier Island, November, 1947, J. M. Dingley.

Weinmannia racemosa L.f. Auckland. Mamaku Forest, 1,800ft, December, 1953, G. H. C. Taranaki: Dawson Falls, Mt. Egmont, January, 1953, J. M. Dingley.

P. cinerea may be separated from P. nuda by the absence of gloeocystidia, and from P. lycii by the absence of paraphysate hyphae. Cystidia develop from the base of each intermediate layer, and the pedicels, being of different lengths, carry them to various positions in the context. In lower zones of stratose specimens cystidia tend to disappear, pedicels remaining in position and then resembling gloeocystidia, as do many immature cystidia of the current layer. Collections vary appreciably in shape and size of the cystidia, thickness and degree of stratification of the context, and in thickness of the basal layer. Normally thin and scanty, in occasional specimens the basal layer may be appreciably thickened, as in the collection from Blechnum filiforme, which nevertheless agrees with typical forms in other features.

According to J. Eriksson (1950, 33) collections labelled Thelephora cinerea in Persoon's herbarium are of the related P. lycii; and the type of P. cinerea is not now in Fries' herbarium at Uppsala.

3. Peniophora nuda (Fries) Bresadola, Atti della I. R. Accademia… Agiati, III, 3, 114, 1907. Text-fig. 3.

• Thelephora nuda Fr., Syst Myc., 1, 447, 1821.

• Corticium nudum Fr., Epicrisis, 564, 1838.

• Peniophora syringae Kaist., Hedwigia, 28, 113, 1889.

Hymenophore annual, sometimes perennial, ceraceous, adnate, at first developing as numerous irregular colonies, becoming coalesced forming linear areas to 15 × 3 cm.; surface some shade of grey (battleship- or mouse-grey), becoming darker with age, at first somewhat tuberculate or as often even, becoming deeply creviced and tending to lift at margins of crevices; margin thinning out, concolorous, adnate, finely byssoid. Context ferruginous, 80-120μ thick, sometimes zoned, basal layer composed of a scanty tissue of parallel coloured hyphae, intermediate layer of densely compacted vertical hyphae with walls coloured brown and cemented: generative hyphae 3-5μ diameter, walls 1-1.5μ thick, pallid brown, naked, branched, septate, with clamp connexions. Hymenial layer to 35μ deep, composed of basidia, paraphyses and cystidia compacted in a dense palisade. Basidia subclavate, 22-30 × 5-6μ, scarcely projecting, 4-spored; sterigmata slightly curved, to 6μ long. Paraphyses subclavate, shorter and narrower than the basidia. Gloeocystidia commonly pyriform or obovate when arising from the base of the intermediate layer, sometimes cylindrical or fusiform when arising in the base of and extending into the hymenial layer, 24-48 × 12-20μ, walls 2μ thick, hyaline. Cystidia abundant or scanty, usually conical with long pedicels, arising from the base of the intermediate layer, or sometimes developing in the subhymenium when fusiform with projecting sometimes strangulated apices, to 40 × 12μ, finely crystal coated. Spores suballantoid, 7-9 × 3-3.5μ, apiculate, wall smooth, hyaline, 0.2μ thick.

Type Locality. Sweden.

Distribution. Europe, Great Britain, North America, New Zealand.

Habitat. Effused on bark or decorticated wood of small branches.

Leptospermum scoparium Forst. Auckland: Rangitoto Island, June, 1954, S. D. Baker.

Nothopanaz colensoi (Hock, f.) Seem. Auckland: Mt. Tongariro, 2,500ft, December, 1930, G. H. C. Whakapapaiti Stream, Mt. Ruapehu, 3,000ft, January 1951, J. M. Dingley.

Nothopanax simplex (Forst. f) Seem. Otago: Ryan's Creek, Stewart Island, February, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Separated from the preceding two species by the presence of pyriform or clavate gloeocystidia. Our collections agree with material in Kew herbarium named P. nuda. According to J. Eriksson (1950, 43), the type is no longer in Fries' herbarium at Uppsala.

4. Peniophora vesiculosa sp. nov. Text-fig. 4.

Hymenophorum annum, vel perenne, membranaceum, adnatum, effusum; superficie cremea deinde ochracea, aequa, inaequaliter rimosa. Hyphae contextus fibulatae, 3-4.5μ diam., nudae. Basidia subclavata, 18-25 × 4-5μ, 4 spories. Gloeocystidia rara, flexuoso-cylindricalia, 35-46 × 5-6μ. Vesiculis pyriformibus, 6-12μ diam. Cystidia conica, 40-60 × 12-20μ, crystallis crassis tecta. Sporae obovatae, attenuato-apiculatae, 5-6 × 2.5-3μ, laeves, hyalinae.

Hymenophore annual or perennial, membranous, adnate, effused forming irregular linear areas to 10 × 6 cm, with a few scattered irregular islands; surface

cream, becoming yellow-ochre, even, finally creviced irregularly and tending to lift along the edges of the fissures; margin thinning out, pelliculose-fibrillose, adnate, concolorous. Context white or cream, 160-400μ thick, basal layer broad or narrow, of parallel hyphae, intermediate layer of ascending densely compacted hyphae and cystidia, when zoned of alternating layers of vertical and parallel hyphae; generative hyphae 3-4.5μ diameter, walls 0.5μ thick, hyaline, naked, branched, septate, with large clamp connexions. Hymenial layer to 45μ deep, a close palisade of basidia, paraphyses, gloeocystidia and cystidia. Basidia subclavate, 18-25 × 4-5μ, 4-spored; sterigmata slender, to 6μ long. Paraphyses similar to but shorter than the basidia. Gloeocystidia somewhat scanty, confined to the hymenial layer, projecting to 30μ, flexuous-cylindrical, 35-46 × 5-6μ, walls 0.5μ thick. Vesicles confined to the intermediate layer, numerous or scanty, pyriform, 6-12μ diameter, walls 0.5μ thick. Cystidia confined to the hymenium and subhymenium, not or scarcely projecting, conical, 40-60 × 12-20μ, coarsely crystal coated. Spores pip-shaped, 5-6 × 2.5-3μ, walls hyaline, smooth, 0.2μ thick; commonly adhering in pairs or fours.

Distribution. New Zealand.

Habitat. Effused on bark of dead branches and stems.

Corynocarpus laevigata Forst. Auckland: Buffalo Beach, Whitianga, November, 1947, E. E. Chamberlain.

Leptospermum ericoides A. Rich. Auckland Kauri Glen, Northcote, August, 1951, J. M. Dingley.

Text-fig. 4.—Peniophora vesiculosa G. H. Cunn. Text-fig. 5.—Peniophora utriculosa G. H. Cunn. Transverse sections, X 500. Original.

Leptospermum scoparium Forst. Auckland: Konini Road, Waitakeres, 1,000ft, July, 1947, J. M. Dingley.

Nothofagus fusca (Hook. f.) Oerst. Westland: Ahaura, November, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Nothopanax arboreum (Forst. f.) Seem. Auckland: Mountain Road, Wartakeres, 600ft, July. 1950, J. M. Dingley.

Pittosporum eugenioides A. Cunn. Auckland, Kaiwaka, May, 1949, J. M. Dingley; type collection, P. D. D. herbarium, No. 7351; Sprague's Hill, Henderson, 900ft. May, 1947, J. M. Dingley.

Weinmannia racemosa L. f. Auckland: Kauaeranga Valley, Thames, August, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Three species described herein possess vesicles in addition to gloeocystidia and cystidia. In P. vesiculosa and P. utriculosa vesicles are pyriform and arise from lateral branches of the intermediate hyphae; in P. verecunda they are capitate and carried upon short stems arising from the basal layer.

P. vesiculosa may be separated from the others by the coarsely crystal coated conical cystidia confined to the hymenial region, and pip-shaped spores. Fructifications are sometimes composed of several strata. Gloeocystidia are scanty and confined to the hymenial region, project and are often collapsed and difficult to detect. Spores frequently adhere in pairs or fours as in Corticium coprosmae.

5. Peniophora utriculosa sp. nov. Text-fig. 5.

Hymenophorum annuum, vel interdum perenne, membranaceum, adnatum, effusum; superficie cremea deinde pallide ochracea, aequa, non rimosa. Hyphae contextus fibulatae, 3.5-4μ diam., nudae. Basidia clavata, 30-35 × 6-7μ, 4 [ unclear: ] . Gloeocystidia flexuoso-cylindricalia, 60-72 × 6-8μ. Vesiculis pyriformibus, 10-14μ diam. Cystidia anguste conica, 60-112 × 12-16μ. crystallis tenuibus tecta. Sporae longo-ellipticae aliquot suballantoides, 11-14 × 3.5-4μ, laeves, hyalinae.

Hymenophore annual, sometimes perennial, membranous, adnate, effused forming linear areas to 12 × 2 cm, with a few small outlying irregular islands; surface at first cream, drying pallid ochre, even, delicately pruinose, not creviced; margin thinning out, white or pallid cream, fibrillose, adnate. Context white, not zoned, 250-400μ thick, basal layer narrow, of closely arranged mainly parallel hyphae, intermediate layer of loosely arranged mainly ascending hyphae becoming vertical and compacted beneath the hymenium, containing numerous vesicles and cystidia; generative hyphae to 4μ diameter, walls 0.5μ thick, hyaline, naked, branched, septate, with large clamp connexions. Hymenial layer to 40μ deep, of basidia, paraphyses, paraphysate hyphae, cystidia and rare gloeocystidia. Basidia clavate, not projecting, 30-35 × 6-7μ, 4-spored; sterigmata slender, to 6μ long. Paraphyses subclavate, smaller and narrower than the basidia. Paraphysate hyphae abundant, projecting, sometimes branched near apices, to 4μ diameter. Gloeocystidia flexuous-cylindrical, projecting to 25μ, often scanty, sometimes with apices slightly strangulated, 60-72 × 6-8μ, walls 0.5μ thick Vesicles abundant in the intermediate layer and sometimes extending into the hymenial layer, pyriform, 10-14μ diameter, walls 0.5μ thick. Cystidia arising in the intermediate layer, some penetrating the hymenium and projecting to 30μ, narrowly conical with long acuminate apices, 60-112 × 12-16μ, finely crystal coated. Spores long-elliptical, some suballantoid, with rounded ends, 11-14 × 3.5-4μ, walls hyaline, smooth, 0.2μ thick.

Distribution. New Zealand.

Habitat. Effused on bark or decorticated dead wood.

Leptospermum ericoides A. Rich. Auckland: Little Huia, 200ft, February 1949, Mrs. E. E. Chamberlain; Little Barrier Island, 500ft, November, 1947, J. M. Dingley.

Leptospermum scoparium Forst. Auckland: Anawhata Road, Waitakeres, 1,000ft, September, 1949, J. M. Dingley; type collection, P. D. D. herbarium, No. 7348; Mountain Road, Henderson, 800ft, September, 1950, J. M. Dingley; Waitakere Dam, 900ft, October, 1951, J. M. Dingley. Otago: Ryan's Creek, Stewart Island, February, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Melicytus ramiflorus Forst. Auckland: Atkinson Park, Waitakeres, 900ft, June 1953, J. M. Dingley.

Nothofagus menziesii (Hook. f.) Oerst. Otago: Alton Valley, Tuatapere, 400ft, February, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Nothopanax arboreum (Forst. f.) Seem. Auckland: Mairoa, February, 1953, J. M. Dingley.

Plagianthus betulinus A. Cunn. Wellington: Kitchener Park, Feilding, 100ft, January, 1954, G. H. C.

Podocarpus totara Don. Taranaki: Mt. Egmont, 3,000ft, March, 1951, J. M. Dingley.

Tetrapathaea tetranda (Banks & Sol.) Cheesem. Auckland: Karekare, July, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Characterized by the large, narrowly conical, finely crystal-coated cystidia, oblong-elliptical somewhat large spores and paraphysate hyphae which may be branched at their apices. Gloeocystidia are scanty, confined to the hymenial region, and frequently strangulated near their apices. Cystidia vary appreciably in length and relative abundance; in some sections they may project, in others scarcely reach the hymenial surface. Occasional collections are stratose.

The species exhibits a general resemblance to P. mutata (Pk.) H. & L., differing in the cystidia, smaller pyriform vesicles, narrower spores and thinner hyphae.

6. Peniophora verecunda sp. nov. Text-fig. 6.

Hymenophorum annum, membranaceum, adnatum, effusum; superficie alba deinde cremea, aequa, non rimosa. Hyphae contextus fibulatae, 3-4μ diam., nudae. Basidia subclavata, 14-18 × 4-5μ, 4 spores. Gloeocystidia cylindricalia, eminentia, 70-105 × 5-7μ, corruentia. Vesiculis raris, capitatis, ad 6μ diam. Cystidia fusiformia vel conica, 16-24 × 5-8μ, crystallis linearibus deciduis tecta. Sporae obovatae, ovales vel late ellipticae, 5-6 × 3-4μ, laeves, hyalinae.

Hymenophore annual, membranous, adnate, effused forming irregular linear areas 0.5-6 × 0.5-1.5 cm, with numerous scattered outlying islands; surface white, then pallid cream, even, not creviced: margin thinning out, white, arachnoid, adnate. Context white, 50-70μ thick, basal layer of a few repent hyphae, intermediate layer of sparse ascending hyphae branched more freely in the subhymenium; generative hyphae 3-4μ diameter, walls 0.25μ thick, hyaline, naked, branched, septate, with clamp connexions. Hymenial layer to 25μ deep, a palisade of basidia, paraphyses and gloeocystidia. Basidia subclavate, 14-18 × 4-5μ, 4-spored; sterigmata delicate, erect, to 6μ long. Paraphyses subclavate, similar to but shorter than the basidia. Gloeocystidia arising from the basal

layer, projecting for the greater part of their length, cylindrical. 70-105 × 5-7μ, apices rounded, walls 0.5μ thick, collapsing. Cystidia arising from the basal layer and confined to the intermediate layer, fusiform or conical, 16-24 × 5-8μ, coated with deciduous rod-shaped crystals imbricately arranged. Vesicles scanty, arising from the basal layer and confined to the context, occasionally appearing as paraphysate hyphae in the hymenium, 16-20 × 4μ, capitate apices 5-6μ across. Spores obovate, oval, broadly elliptical, a few pip-shaped, 5-6 × 3-4μ walls smooth, hyaline, 0.2μ thick.

Text-fig. 6.—Peniophora verecunda G. H. Cunn. Text-Fig. 7. —Peniophora inconstans G. H. Cunn. Transverse sections, × 500; spores × 1000. Original.

Distribution. New Zealand.

Habitat. Effused on decayed decorticated wood.

Dacrydium cupressinum Sol. Auckland: Hauhangaroa Range, Taupo, 2,000ft, March, 1953, J. M. Dingley; type collection, P.D.D. herbarium, No. 12513.

From the two preceding species this delicate plant may be separated by the simple vesicles, small unusual cystidia, and thin-walled projecting gloeocystidia. Cystidia are confined to the context, fusiform or narrowly conical and coated with coarse rod-shaped deciduous crystals imbricately arranged. Gloeocystidia are cylindrical, project for more than half their length, and collapse soon after reaching maturity. Vesicles arise from the basal layer as simple hyphae with capitate apices. Similar organs are present in the hymenium, developing as capitate paraphysate hyphae. The specific name has been chosen to indicate the modest nature of the cystidia.

7. Peniophora inconstans sp. nov. Text-fig. 7.

Hymenophorum perenne, stratosum, ceraceum, adnatum, effusum; superficie cremea, tuberculatiore, rimosa. Hyphae contextus fibulatae, 3-3.5μ diam., nudae.

Basidia cylindricalia, in medio depressa, 16-20 × 5-8μ, 4 sporis. Gloeocystidia ovata vel obovata, 24-32 × 12-16μ. Cystidia ovata vel elliptica. 24-35 × 12-20μ, crystallis crassis tecta. Sporae globosae vel subglobosae, 5-6μ diam., verruculosae, hyalinae.

Hymenophore perennial, ceraceous, adnate, effused forming irregular colonies 8-12 × 1-3 cm, with numerous scattered, irregularly orbicular outlying islands; surface cream, with pallid ochre patches, somewhat tuberculate, irregularly creviced; margin thinning out, often receding in successive layers, fibrillose, adnate. Context white, 200-300μ thick, composed of several (4-7) zones of irregular thickness, each with a basal layer of partly gelatinized hyphae, and an intermediate layer of often anastomosed mainly upright hyphae embracing scattered cystidia and gloeocystidia; generative hyphae 3-3.5μ diameter, walls 0.2μ thick, hyaline, naked, branched, septate, with clamp connexions. Hymenial layer to 30μ deep, a scanty palisade of basidia, paraphyses, cystidia and gloeocystidia. Basidia cylindrical with depressed middles, or with inflated bases, projecting, 16-20 × 5-8μ, 4-spored; sterigmata arcuate, slender, to 6μ long. Paraphyses subclavate, scanty, about half the length of the basidia. Gloeocystidia arranged in several irregular zones, arising from the basal layer of each zone, oval, elliptical, or obovate, 24-32 × 12-16μ, occasionally to 25μ wide, walls 1μ thick. Cystidia arranged in several irregular zones, arising from the basal layer of each zone, ovate, elliptical, or conical, 24-35 × 12-20μ, becoming stouter progressively towards the base, coarsely crystal coated. Spores globose or subglobose, 5-6 × 5-5.5μ, walls delicately verruculose, hyaline, 0.75μ thick.

Distribution. New Zealand.

Habitat. Effused on bark or decorticated dead wood.

Dacrydium cupressinum Sol. Westland: Pukekura, November, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Fuchsia excorticata L.f. Auckland. Lake Okataina, 1,500ft, December, 1953, G. H. C.

Schefflera digitala Forst. Auckland: Whitianga Road, Coromandel Peninsula, 750ft, August, 1954, J. M. Dingley, type collection, P. D.D herbarium, No. 13825.

Though included in the same section as P. incarnata and P. coprosmae, P. inconstans differs markedly in several features, chiefly in the small oval or pyriform gloeocystidia and cystidia arranged in layers with parallel gelatinized hyphae between, finely verruculose globose spores and peculiar basidia. The last are cylindrical with middles constricted and bases somewhat inflated. Gloeostidia and cystidia are compacted into rows in each layer of the stratose context; and because of their erratic distribution, the specific name has been given. They are mixed indiscrminately in each row, though gloeocystidia tend to predominate in younger tissues, cystidia in older.

8 Peniophora incarnata (Persoon ex Fries) Karsten, Hedwigia, 28, 27, 1889. Text-fig. 8.

Thelephora incarnata Pers. ex Fr., Syst. Myc., 1, 444, 1821.

Corticium incarnatum (Pers. ex Fr.) Fr., Epicrisis, 564, 1938.

Kneiffia incarnata (Pers. ex Fr.) Bies., Ann. Myc., 1. 104, 1903.

Hymenophore annual or perennial, ceraceous, adnate, at first appearing as numerous small orbicular colonies 2-10 mm diameter, becoming coalesced to form effused irregular linear areas 12-15 × 2-3 cm; surface colour ranging from pallid pink to salmon-pink or pallid orange, even, sometimes delicately

farinose, becoming deeply irregularly creviced; margin abruptly thinning out, concolorous or lighter, adnate, fibrillose. Context white, 100-260μ thick, zoned in perennial forms, basal layer scanty, of parallel hyphae densely compacted and sometimes partly gelatinized, intermediate layer of upright hyphae associated with gloeocystidia and cystidia; generative hyphae 3.5-4μ diameter, walls 0.25μ thick, hyaline, naked, branched, septate, with large clamp connexions. Hymenial layer to 40μ deep, a dense palisade of basidia, paraphyses, gloeoeocystidia and cystidia. Basidia subclavate, projecting to 10μ, 28-35 × 5-6μ, 4-spored; sterigmata slender, to 6μ long. Paraphyses subclavate, to 20 × 4μ. Gloeocystidia copious, arising at different depths in the context but mainly from the base and extending into the hymenium, usually forming a dense palisade, sometimes projecting to 20μ, flexuous-cylindrical, 50-160 × 8-12μ, walls 0.5μ thick. Cystidia arising from the basal layer, scattered through the context and extending into the hymenial layer, not projecting, abundant or scanty, narrowly conical with acuminate apices, or fusiform, 56-80 × 12-16μ, larger basally, coarsely crystal coated. Spores elliptical or as often suballantoid, apiculate, 8-10 × 4-4.5μ, walls smooth, hyaline, 0.2μ thick.

Type Locality. Europe.

Distribution. Europe, Great Britain, North America, Japan, New Zealand.

Habitat. Effused on bark or decorticated wood.

Alectryon excelsum Gaertn. Wellington: Carter's Bush, Carterton, 150ft., November, 1950, J. M. Dingley.

Text-fig. 8.—Peniophora incarnata (Pers.) Karst. Text-Fig. 9.—Peniophora coprosmae G. H. Cunn. Transverse sections, × 500. Original.

Aristotelia serrata (Forst. f.) Oliver. Wellington: Pohangina Reserve, 200ft. September, 1953, G. H. C.

Beilschmiedia tawa (A. Cunn.) Hook. f. & Benth. Auckland: Upper Wairoa Valley, Hunua Range, September, 1946, J. M. Dingley; Te Whaiti, 2,000ft, June, 1950, J. M. Dingley; Earthquake Flat, Rotorua, 1,800ft, September, 1950. G. H. C.

Coprosma foetidissima Forst. Westland: Waiho, 600ft, November, 1946, J. M. Dingley. Otago: Horse Shoe Bay, Stewart Island, February, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Coprosma pseudocuneata Oliver. Auckland: Mt. Ruapehu, 3,000ft, January, 1951, J. M. Dingley.

Cytisus scoparius Link. Auckland: Waiotapu, 1,600ft, June, 1950, J. M. Dingley.

Griselinia lucida Forst. Auckland: Oturere River. Mt. Tongariro, 4,000ft, December, 1946, E. M. Smith.

Melicytus ramiflorus Forst. Auckland: Mt. Hauhangatahi, 2,500ft, February, 1952, G. H. C.

Nothofagus menziesii (Hook. f.) Oerst. Auckland: Silica Springs, Mt. Ruapehu, 2,800ft, January, 1954, S. D. Baker.

Nothopanax arboreum (Forst. f.) Seem. Wellington: Ohakune, 2,500ft, December, 1953, J. M. Dingley.

Nothopanax colensoi (Hook. f.) Seem. Auckland: Mt. Tongariro, 2,600ft, December, 1930, G. H. C.; Whakapapa, Mt. Ruapehu, 3,000ft, October, 1949, J. M. Dingley; Mamaku Forest, 2,000ft, December, 1953, G. H. C.

Olearia virgata Hook. f. Auckland: Upper Mohaka Valley, Kaimanawa Ranges, 2,000ft, May, 1953, J. M. Dingley.

Phyllocladus alpinus Hook. f. Auckland: Mt. Hauhangatahi, 3,500ft, February, 1952, G. H. C.

Pseudowintera axillaris (Forst.) Dandy. Auckland: Hauhangaroa Range, Taupo, 2,200ft, March, 1953, J. M. Dingley.

Rubus fruticosus L. Auckland. Waitetoko, Taupo, 1,300ft, January, 1954, S. D. Baker.

Senecio elaeagnifolius Hook. f. Canterbury: Hermitage, Mt. Cook, 2,500ft, February, 1947, G. T. S. Baylis.

Weinmannia racemosa L.f. Auckland: Pangarara River, Mt. Tongariro, 2,500 feet, December, 1946, E. M. Smith.

P. incarnata varies appreciably in several features, mainly in surface colour, size, shape and abundance of cystidia and gloeocystidia. It is readily separated from P. coprosmae by the scanty basal layer, long gloeocystidia mostly arising from the basal layer and forming a dense palisade in the context with apices extending into the hymenial layer, narrowly fusiform cystidia and smaller spores.

9. Peniophora coprosmae sp. nov. Text-fig. 9.

Hymenophorum annuum, interdum perenne, ceraceum, adnatum, effusum; superficie salmonea vel carnea, aequa vel rugulosa. non rimosa. Hyphae contextus fibulatae, 3-3.5μ diam., nudae. Basidia clavata, 48-56 × 7-9μ, 4 sporis. Gloeocystidia cylindricalia vel fusiformia, 40-80 × 6-9 μ. Cystidia conica, 40-64 × 10-16μ, crystallis crassis tecta. Sporae ellipticae, aliquot suballantoides, 10-12 × 4.5-5μ, laeves, hyalinae.

Hymenophore annual, sometimes perennial, ceraceous, adnate, at first developing as orbicular colonies 2-10 mm across, coalescing to form effused areas to

24 × 5 cm; surface at first salmon-pink or flesh-pink, fading to pallid pink, palid buff, or cream, even or somewhat rugulose especially at margins where colonies have merged, not creviced; margin thinning out, 0.5-2 mm broad, fibrillose, white, adnate. Context white, not zoned, 250-800μ thick, basal layer of parallel hyphae, occupying about one-half of the context, dense, often somewhat sclerotioid and tinted near the substratum, intermediate layer of vertical densely arranged hyphae; generative hyphae 3-3.5μ diameter, walls 0.2μ thick, hyaline, naked, branched, septate, with clamp connexions. Hymenial layer to 70μ deep, composed of basidia, paraphyses, gloecoystidia and cystidia arranged in a dense palisade. Basidia clavate, 48-56 × 7-9μ, projecting to 12μ, 4-spored; sterigmata delicate, to 5μ long. Gloeocystidia confined to the hymenial layer, sometimes projecting to 20μ, abundant or scanty, cylindrical or fusiform, 40-80 × 6-9μ, apices rounded, sometimes long acuminate, walls 0.5μ thick. Cystidia confined to the hymenial and intermediate layers, abundant or scanty, not projecting, conical with long, sometimes distorted or furcate pedicels, 40-64 × 10-16μ, densely and coarsely crystal coated on upper third, naked below. Spores elliptical, a few suballantoid, 10-12 × 4.5-5μ, walls smooth, hyaline, 0.25μ thick.

Distribution. New Zealand.

Habitat. Effused on bark or decorticated wood of dead branches.

Aristotelia serrata (Forst. f.) Oliver. Wellington: Pohangina Reserve, 200ft, September, 1953, G. H. C.

Beilschmiedia tawa (A. Cunn.) Hook. f. & Benth. Auckland: Lake Waikaraeiti Track, 2,800ft, September, 1950, G. H. C.; Earthquake Flat, Rotorua, 1,500ft, June, 1952, G. H. C.

Brachyglottis repanda Forst. Auckland: Mt. Pihanga, 2,000ft, October, 1949, J. M. Dingley.

Carpodetus serratus Forst. Auckland: Moumoukai Valley, Hunua Range, October, 1946, J. M. Dingley.

Coprosma arborea Kirk. Auckland: Little Barrier Island, 200ft, November, 1947, J. M. Dingley.

Coprosma areolata Cheesem. Auckland: Whangarei Heads, October, 1947, J. M. Dingley.

Coprosma australis (A. Rich.) Robinson. Auckland: Mt. Hauhangatahi, 2,800 feet, February, 1952, G. H. C.; Atkinson Park, Titirangi, 900ft, June, 1953, J. M. Dingley; Mountain Road, Henderson, 800ft, September, 1953, J. M. Dingley. Wellington: Botanical Gardens, Kelburn, 200ft, January, 1927, G. H. C.

Coprosma foetidissima Forst. Otago: Horse Shoe Bay, Stewart Island, February, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Coprosma robusta Raoul. Auckland: Moumoukai Valley, Hunua Range, October, 1946, J. M. Dingley; Mt. Te Aroha, 880ft, November, 1946 G. H. C.; Ketetahi Springs, Mt. Tongariro, 4,800ft, October. 1949, J. M. Dingley; Mt. Maunganui, coast, January, 1950, M. Hodgkins; Waiomo Valley, Thames, June. 1950, J. M. Dingley; Rangitoto Island, July, 1950, J. M. Dingley; Purewa Bush, August, 1950, D. W. McKenzie; Old Exhibition Drive, Titirangi, 800ft, October, 1950, J. M. Dingley, Kohekohe, February, 1952, J. M. Dingley; Campbell's Bay, July, 1953, J. M. Dingley; Te Kouru, Coromandel Peninsula, August, 1954, J. M. Dingley; Waiomo Valley, Thames, August, 1954, S. D. Baker. Wellington; Lake Papaetonga, 50ft, October, 1930. G. H. C.; type collection, P.D.D. herbarium, No. 3719; Kahuterawa River, October, 1930, G. H. C.

Fuchsia excorticata L.f. Westland: Weheka, 600ft, December, 1946, J. M. Dingley.

Macropiper excelsum (Forst. f.) Miq. Auckland: Woods' Bay, Titirangi, July, 1948, J. M. Dingley.

Melicytus ramiflorus Forst. Auckland: Little Barrier Island, November, 1947, J. M. Dingley.

Nothopanax arboreum (Forst. f.) Seem. Auckland: Wairongomai Valley, Te Aroha, October, 1948, J. M. Dingley.

Nothopanax colensoi (Hook. f.) Seem. Auckland: Mt. Pihanga, 2,000ft, October, 1949, J. M. Dingley.

Olearia furfuracea (A. Rich.) Hook. f. Auckland: Mt. Te Aroha, 800ft, November, 1946, G. H. C; Mt. Maunganui, 300ft, December, 1949, M. Hodgkins.

Oxylobium callistachys Benth. Auckland: Campbell's Bay, November, 1946, Mrs. E. E. Chamberlain.

Pittosporum colensoi Hook. f. Otago: Garden Mound, Stewart Island, February, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Pseudopanax crassifolium (Sol.) Koch. Auckland: Mt. Tongariro, 2,500ft, December, 1930. G. H. C.

Rhopalostylis sapida (Sol.) Wendl. & Drude. Auckland Swanson, December, 1945, J. M. Dingley.

Senecio kirkii Hook. f. Auckland: Wairongomai Valley, Te Aroha, October, 1948, J. M. Dingley.

P. coprosmae resembles P. incarnata in several features, but differs in the conical cystidia, larger spores, and especially in the copious development of the basal layer, which may occupy more than half the bulk of the context. As with P. incarnata, the species shows many variations in different collections. Colour of the surface may be flesh-pink or salmon; on drying it changes to pallid pink, cream tinged with pink, or buff Gloeocystidia may be abundant or scanty, and vary appreciably in length and shape. Cystidia also vary in size, numbers, and length of the stout often furcate pedicels. Basal hyphae become densely compacted towards the substratum, often appearing almost sclerotioid and sometimes tinted fuscous. Some collections may be perennial, indicated by several obscure zones of cystidia and gloeocystidia.

P. coprosmae and P. incarnata fall within the section “Coloratae” of Bourdot & Galzin (1928, 319) because of surface colour, ceraceous context and suballantoid spores. P. coprosmae does not agree with any overseas species seen in Kew herbarium. It has similar marginal and growth features to P. aurantiaca (Bres.) H. & L., differing in colour, appreciably smaller spores of different shape, and smaller basidia. According to J. Eriksson (1950, 14) spores of that species are ovate, 14-20 × 7-12μ.

10. Peniophora scintillans sp. nov. Text-fig. 10.

Hymenophorum annuum, cretaceum, adnatum, effusum; superficie cremea vel bubalma, pruinosa, tarde rimosa. Hyphae contextus fibulatae, 3-3.5μ diam, nudae. Basidia subclavata, 16-20 × 4-5μ, 4 sporis. Cystidia anguste fusiformia, conica vel subulata, 16-35 × 8-12μ, crystallis tecta. Sporae ellipticae, 6-7 × 3.5-4μ, laeves, hyalinae.

Hymenophore annual, cretaceous, adnate, at first appearing as numerous maculiform colonies, merging to form linear areas to 15 × 5 cm; surface rich

cream, cream with a pink tinge, or buff, pruinose, tardily creviced; margin thinning out, white, fibrillose, adnate. Context white or buff, not zoned, 60-120μ thick, basal layer of a few compacted parallel hyphae, intermediate layer of scanty vertical hyphae almost buried in masses of cystidia; generative hyphae 3-3.5μ diameter, walls 0.2μ thick, hyaline, naked, branched, septate, with clamp connexions, staining blue. Hymenial layer almost obscured by masses of cystidia, to 25μ deep, a tenuous palisade of basidia, paraphyses and cystidia. Basidia subclavate, projecting, 16-20 × 4-5μ, 4-spored; sterigmata erect, slender, to 6μ long. Paraphyses subclavate, similar to but shorter than the basidia. Cystidia crowded in context and hymenium, projecting to 20μ, narrowly fusiform, conical, or subulate, 16-35 × 8-12μ, coarsely crystal coated. Spores elliptical or sometimes flattened on one side, with rounded ends, apiculate, 6-7 × 3.5-4μ, walls smooth, hyaline, 0.25μ thick.

Distribution. New Zealand.

Habitat. Effused on bark of dead branches and twigs.

Beilschmiedia tawa (A. Cunn.) Hook. f. & Benth Auckland: Lake Okatama, 1,400ft, May, 1952, G. H. C.

Coprosma arborea Kirk. Auckland: Huia, February, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Coprosma australis (A. Rich.) Robinson. Auckland Mt. Te Aroha, 1,400ft, September, 1954, G. H. C.

Geniostoma ligustrifolium A. Cunn. Auckland: Kauaeranga Valley, Thames, June, 1950, J. M. Dingley.

Text-fig. 10.—Peniophoia scintillans G. H. Cunn. Text-Fig. 11.—Peniophora cerebrosa G. H. Cunn. Transverse sections, × 500, spores × 1000. Original

Laurelia novaezealandiae A. Cunn. Auckland: Mt. Te Aroha, 1,200ft, September, 1954, G. H. C., type collection, P. D. D. herbarium, No. 13828.

Senecio kirkii Hook. f. Auckland: Orenui, Hunua Range, March, 1953, J. M. Dingley.

Six species are included in a section, plants of which possess crystal coated cystidia arranged in layers or overlapping series, but lack gloeocystidia and vesicles. They have been divided into two sub-sections according to whether they possess or lack clamp connexions. Under the former are placed P. cerebrosa, P. scintillans and P. totara: the latter contains P. crustosa, P. erucaeforma and P. sacrata.

Context hyphae and the hymenium of P. scintillans are almost hidden by compact masses of cystidia, arranged in overlapping series without definite segregation into layers. Young plants may be confused with specimens of P. sacrata, for context hyphae and spores of both stain with aniline blue and at first cystidia may be enclosed within lacunae as with the latter species. Separation may be made by the differently shaped spores and presence of clamp connexions.

11. Peniophora cerebrosa sp. nov. Text-fig. 11.

Hymenophorum annuum vel perenne, ceraceum, adnatum, effusum; superficie cremea, ochracea, interdum bubalina, aequa, late rimosa. Hyphae contextus fibulatae, 2.5-3μ diam., crystallis tecta. Basidia subclavata, 16-20 × 4-5μ, 4 sporis. Cystidia cylindricalia, 24-72 × 8-14μ, crystallis crassis tecta. Sporae obovatae vel obovatae attenuato-apiculatae, 4-5 × 3-3.5μ, laeves, hyalinae.

Hymenophore annual or perennial, ceraceous, brittle, adnate but tending to lift when old, effused forming irregular areas 12-20 × 5-7 cm; surface cream, yellow-ochre, sometimes buff when old, even, occasionally slightly tuberculate, coarsely irregularly creviced; margin thinning out, white, adnate, fibrillose. Context white or cream, 100-250μ thick, of one to three irregular zones, basal layer of parallel hyphae loosely arranged, scanty, intermediate layer of mainly upright hyphae densely compacted and containing 1-3 zones of cystidia irregularly arranged, embedding masses of crystals; generative hyphae 2.5-3μ diameter, walls 0.2μ thick, hyaline, crystal coated, branched, septate, with clamp connexions. Hymenial layer to 25μ deep, a dense palisade of basidia, paraphyses and cystidia. Basidia subclavate, 16-20 × 4-5μ, 4-spored; sterigmata slender, to 4μ long. Paraphyses subclavate, similar to but smaller than the basidia. Cystidia present in all tissues, a few projecting to 20μ, irregularly cylindrical with rounded ends, or slightly subclavate, 24-72 × 8-14μ, crystal coated, crystals progressively coarser basally. Spores obovate or pip-shaped, apiculate, 4-5 × 3-3.5μ, walls smooth, hyaline, 0.2μ thick.

Distribution. New Zealand.

Habitat. Effused on bark or decorticated dead wood.

Beilschmiedia tarairi (A. Cunn.) Benth. & Hook. f. Auckland: Waiwera, October, 1950, J. M. Dingley.

Dacrydium cupressinum Sol. Westland: Harihari, November, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Leptospermum ericoides A. Rich. Auckland: Swanson, 400ft, April, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Metrosideros robusta A. Cunn. Auckland: Glen Esk Valley, Piha, May, 1951, J. M. Dingley.

Nothofagus fusca (Hook. f.) Oerst. Westland: Staircase Creek, 2,000 feet, November, 1952, S. D. Baker, type collection, P. D. D. herbarium, No. 11871. Ahaura, November, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Pittosporum tenuifolium Banks & Sol. Auckland: Whitianga Road, Coromandel Peninsula, 600ft, October, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Weinmannia racemosa L.f. Taranaki: Mt. Egmont, 2,500ft, March, 1951, J. M. Dingley.

Unknown Hosts. Auckland: Mt. Pihanga, 2,000ft, October, 1949, J. M. Dingley; Otau, Hunua Range, April, 1950, J. M. Dingley; Whakarewarewa, 1,200 feet, June, 1950, J. M. Dingley. Wellington: Whakatikei Forest Reserve, June, 1923, J. C. Neill; Wanganui, March, 1946, J. M. Dingley.

Context hyphae are coated with fine crystals, and between the hyphae he masses of crystals which give to sections their chalky appearance. Cystidia vary appreciably in size, becoming progressively larger and more coarsely crystal coated towards the base. In some collections the context is zoned, or cystidia may be arranged in 1-3 irregular layers. Spores are mostly pip-shaped, and aid separation of the species from others in the section.

12. Peniophora totara sp. nov. Text-fig. 12.

Hymenophorum perenne, stratosum, cretaceum, adnatum, effusum; superficie cremea, aequa, raro rimosa. Hyphae contextus fibulatae, 3.5-4μ diam, nudae, Basidia subclavata, 16-22 × 5-6μ, 4 sporis. Cystidia cylindricalia, 16-34 × 7-9μ, crystallis crassis tecta. Sporae ellipticae, 7-8 × 4-4 5μ, laeves, hyalinae.

Hymenophore perennial, cretaceous, adnate though tending to lift with the bark when dry, effused forming irregularly linear areas to 28 × 5 cm, or sometimes numerous irregularly elliptical colonies 1-3 × 1-2 cm; surface cream, staining ochre in patches, even, at length scantily, somewhat areolately, creviced; margin thinning out, sometimes abrupt and cliff-like, concolorous, adnate, compact. Context white, 0.2-1 mm thick, composed of numerous layers each 35-55μ deep, basal layer narrow, of compacted partly gelatinized parallel hyphae, intermediate layer of mainly vertical hyphae and irregular rows of cystidia; generative hyphae 3.5-4μ diameter, walls 0.2μ thick, hyaline, naked, branched, septate, with clamp connexions. Hymenial layer to 40μ deep, a close palisade of basidia, paraphyses and cystidia. Basidia subclavate, projecting, 16-22 × 5-6μ, 4-spored; sterigmata slender, to 6μ long. Paraphyses subclavate, 14-16 × 4-5μ. Cystidia cylindrical with apices rounded or bluntly acuminate, sometimes narrowly conical, arranged in dense rows in the context and hymenium, 16-34 × 7-9μ, coarsely crystal coated, tending to disappear from the base. Spores elliptical, apiculate, 7-8 × 4-4.5μ, walls smooth, hyaline, 0.2μ thick.

Distribution. New Zealand.

Habitat. Effused on bark of dead branches and trunks.

Podocarpus hallii Kirk. Auckland: Mt. Tongariro, 3,000ft, January, 1947, G. H. C.; Silica Springs Track, Mt. Ruapehu. 2,800ft, January, 1954, S. D. Baker; type collection, P.D.D. herbarium. No. 13573. Taranaki: Mt. Egmont, 3,000ft, January, 1953, J. M. Dingley.

Podocarpus totara Don. Auckland: Waipoua Kauri Forest, September, 1949, J. M. Dingley; Mamaku Forest, 1,800ft, June, 1952, G. H. C. Taranaki: Mt. Egmont, 2,500ft, March, 1951, J. M. Dingley; Dawson Falls. Mt. Egmont, 2,800ft, January, 1952, J. M. Dingley. Otago: Ulva Islet, Stewart Island, February. 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Text-fig. 12.—Peniophora totara G. H. Cunn. Text-Fig. 13.—Peniophra crustosa Cke. Transverse sections, × 500; spores × 1000. Original.

Specific features are the perennial thick context with stratose, cylindrical cystidia arranged in zones separated from one another by parallel bands of partly gelatmized hyphae, and small elliptical spores. Cystidia are small, crystal coated throughout, often arranged somewhat irregularly, and tend to disappear from basal layers of thick specimens, leaving lacunae in the tissues. Spores are scantily developed and tend to collapse soon after reaching maturity.

In its perennial stratose fructifications, masses of cystidia and small spores, the species resembles P. crustosa. The latter may be separated by the brown zones of the context, formed from granules of [ unclear: ] arranged in parallel bands. P. totara appears to be confined to two species of Podocarpus, the Maori name for both being totara, hence the specific name.

13. Peniophora crustosa Cooke, Grevillea, 8, 56, 1879. Text-fig. 13.

Hymenophore perennial, ceraceous, adnate, tending to lift when old, effused forming irregular areas 8-15 × 3-5 cm, with scattered orbicular or linear outlying islands; surface exhibiting a wide range of colours—slate-grey, fawn, pallid livid, reddish-brown, ochre, and when old various shades of grey, brown, or plum—at first even, and where fertile finely velutinate, becoming deeply finely areolately creviced; margin abrupt, or thinning out. white, soon grey, adnate. Context appearing brown, 300-900μ. thick, showing numerous bands of alternating brown and tinted zones 40-80μ. deep, delimited by brown mucilage granules

coating hyphae and cystidia in parallel bands, basal layer of parallel hyphae scantily developed, intermediate layer of scanty vertical hyphae; generative hyphae 2-2.5μ diameter, walls 0.25μ thick, naked, hyaline, branched, septate, without clamp connexions. Hymenial layer to 40μ deep, a palisade of basidia, paraphyses and cystidia. Basidia clavate, projecting slightly, 16-20 × 4-5μ, 4-spored; sterigmata slender, to 5μ long. Paraphyses subclavate, 12-14 × 3-4μ. Cystidia arranged in numerous overlapping layers in the hymenial and intermediate layers, narrowly conical, 30-50 × 10-16μ, coarsely crystal coated, in the hymenial layer projecting to 20μ. Spores elliptical, some suballantoid, 4.5-5.5 × 2-2.5μ, walls smooth, hyaline, 0.1μ thick.

Type Locality. Waitaki, New Zealand.

Distribution. New Zealand.

Habitat. Effused on bark and decorticated dead wood.

Beilschmiedia tarairi (A. Cunn.) Benth. & Hook. f. Auckland: Kaukapakapa, February, 1949, M. Dye.

Beilschmiedia tawa (A. Cunn.) Hook. f. & Benth. Auckland: Lake Rotoiti, 1,200ft, June, 1952, G. H. C. Lake Rotoehu, 1,200ft, September, 1954, G. H. C.

Brachyglottis repanda Forst. Auckland: Rangitoto Island July, 1950, J. M. Dingley.

Coprosma australis (A. Rich.) Robinson. Auckland: Ruatewhenua, Waitakeres, August, 1949, J. M. Dingley.

Coprosma lucida Forst. Auckland: Coromandel Penmsula, October, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Corynocarpus laevigata Forst. Auckland: Piha, September, 1949, J. M. Dingley.

Dacrydium kirkii F. Muell. Auckland: Waipoua Kauri Forest, September, 1949, J. M. Dingley.

Dysoxylum spectabile (Forst. f.) Hook. f. Auckland: Wood's Bay, Titirangi, July, 1948, J. M. Dingley.

Eucalyptus globulus Lab. Auckland: Silverdale, October, 1950, J. M. Dingley. Wellington: Waverley, 400ft, December, 1946, Mrs. E. E. Chamberlain.

Fuchsia excorticata L.f. Auckland: Moumoukai Valley, Hunua Range, July, 1946, J. M. Dingley; Mt. Pihanga, Turangi, 2,000ft, October, 1949, J. M. Dingley. Lake Rotoehu, 1,200ft, June, 1951, J. M. Dingley. Lake Okataina, 1,500ft, May, 1952, December, 1953, G. H. C.

Knightia excelsa R. Br. Auckland: Upper Piha Valley, Waitakeres, September, 1949, J. M. Dingley.

Leptospermum scoparium Forst. Auckland: Titirangi, Waitakeres, 900ft, April, 1947, J. M. Dingley.

Melicytus ramiflorus Forst. Auckland: Purewa Bush, August, 1948, J. M. Dingley.

Metrosideros tomentosa A. Rich. Auckland: Piha, November, 1945, J. M. Dingley.

Nothofagus truncata (Col.) Ckn. Auckland: Little Barrier Island, 300ft, November, 1947, J. M. Dingley.

Nothopanax arboreum (Forst. f.) Seem. Auckland: Mt. Tongariro, 2,500ft, January, 1947, G. H. C.; Kauri Glen, Northcote, August, 1951, J. M. Dingley.

Olea lanceolata Hook. f. Auckland: Omahutu State Forest, 750ft, June, 1948, J. M. Dingley.

Pseudopanax crassifolium (Sol.) Koch. Auckland: Te Whaiti, 1,500ft, June, 1951, J. M. Dingley.

Schefflera digitata Forst. Westland: Weheka, 600ft, December, 1946, J. M. Dingley.

Weinmannia racemosa L.f. Westland: Waiho, 600ft, November, 1946, J. M. Dingley.

Collections listed match the type in Kew herbarium, ex “N.Z. Waitaki, No. 347”. A second specimen in Kew herbarium, ex “Colenso, b. 288”, was filed by Cooke under Corticium laeve Pers. ex Fr. The thick fructifications contain many cystidia arranged in numerous overlapping rows which under a lens appear to be composed of brown and hyaline or tinted zones. Under the microscope the brown zones are seen to be formed from parallel bands of brown mucilage granules coating cystidia, pedicels and hyphae. Surface colour varies appreciably, ranging from reddish-grey to reddish-brown or ochre with violaceous or purple tints.

14. Peniophora sacrata sp. nov. Text-fig. 14.

Hymenophorum perenne, stratosum, membranaceum, adnatum, effusum; superficie alba vel pallide cremea, aequa, alte rimosa. Hyphae contextus afibulatae, 3-3.5μ diam., nudae. Basidia subclavata, 25-30 × 7-8μ, 4 sporis. Cystidia fusiformia, 24-45 × 10-16μ, crystallis crassis tecta. Sporae ovatae vel ovales, 6-8.5 × 5-6μ, laeves, hyalinae.

Text-fig. 14.—Peniophora sacrata G. H. Cunn. Text-Fig. 15.—Peniophora erucaeforma G. H. Cunn. Transverse sections. × 500; spores × 1000. Original.

Hymenophore perennial, membranous, adnate, effused forming irregular areas 6-10 × 3-4 cm; surface white or pallid cream, drying white or sometimes tinted ochre, even, at length deeply laterally creviced and lifting at the edges; margin abruptly thinning out, adnate, concolorous, delicately fibrillose. Context white, to 600μ thick, basal layer a delicate band of parallel gelatinized hyphae, intermediate layer of intertwined hyphae forming many scattered lacunae each containing one cystidium; generative hyphae 3-3.5μ diameter, walls 0.2μ thick, hyaline, naked, branched, septate, without clamp connexions, staining deeply. Hymenial layer to 40μ deep, a scanty palisade of basidia, paraphyses and cystidia. Basidia subclavate, not projecting, 25-30 × 7-8μ, 4-spored; sterigmata slender. to 6μ long. Paraphyses scanty, subclavate, smaller than the basidia. Cystidia abundant, developing in lacunae in the context and hymenium, projecting to 10μ, fusiform, 24-45 × 10-16μ, coarsely and irregularly crystal coated, crystals disappearing from basal cystidia. Spores ovate or oval, sometimes with one side flattened, apiculate, 6-8.5 × 5-6μ, walls smooth. hyaline, 0.5μ thick.

Distribution. New Zealand.

Habitat. Effused on bark or decorticated dead wood.

Acacia dealbata Link. Auckland: Campbell's Bay, December, 1953. E. E. Chamberlain.

Beilschmiedia tawa (A. Cunn.) Hook. f. & Benth. Auckland. Lake Rotoehu, 1,300ft, June, 1951, J. M. Dingley.

Leptospemum ericoides A. Rich. Auckland: Huia, November, 1952, J. M. Dingley.

Leptospermum scoparium Forst. Auckland: Kawhia Harbour, coast, January 1953, J. D. Atkinson; type collection, P. D. D. herbarium. No. 11845; Huia, 200ft, January, 1954 E. E. Chamberlain.

Melicytus ramiflorus Forst. Otago: Lake Alabaster, December, 1949. J. M. Dingley.

Meryta sinelairii (Hook. f.) Seem. Auckland: Campbell's Bay, January, 1954, E. E. Chamberlain.

Nothopanax arboreum (Forst. f.) Seem. Auckland: Lake Okatama, 1,500ft, September, 1954. G. H. C.

Quintinia serrata A. Cunn. Westland: Pukekura, November, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Schefflera digitata Forst. Auckland: Moumoukai Valley, Hunua Range, March, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Tecoma sp. Auckland: Mt. Albert, June, 1953, E. E. Chamberlain.

Sections show the context to be composed of an irregular honeycomb of woven context hyphae enclosing abundant lacunae, each containing a solitary cystidium carried on a brief pedicel. In thick specimens crystals tend to disappear from lower cystidia, leaving the small naked pedicels attached to the bases of the lacunae.

15. Peniophora erucaeforma sp. nov. Text-fig. 15.

Hymenophorum annuum, membranaceum, adnatum, effusum; superficie cremea, aequa, alte areolatae rimosa. Hyphae contextus afibulatae, 4-6μ diam., nudae Basidia subclavata, 24-30 × 5-6μ, 4 sporis. Cystidia cylindricalia, saepe tortuosa vel geniculata, septata, 40-90 × 6-10μ, crystallis tecta vel apice nudo. Sporae ellipticae, 7-9 × 3.5-4μ, laeves, hyalinae.

Hymenophore annual, occasionally biennial, membranous, adnate, effused forming irregularly linear areas 6-10 × 1-2 cm; surface cream, drying cream or pallid ochre, velutinate, even or slightly tuberculate, becoming deeply areolately creviced; margin thinning out, white, fibrillose, adnate Context white, sometimes of two layers, 120-200μ thick, basal layer thin, of parallel hyphae; intermediate layer well developed, of somewhat densely intertwined mainly upright hyaphae embedding cystidia; generative hyphae 4-6μ diameter, walls 0.5μ thick, hyaline, naked, branched, septate, without clamp connexions. Hymenial layer to 50μ deep, a close palisade of basidia, paraphyses and cystidia. Basidia subclavate, slightly projecting, 24-30 × 5-6μ, 4-spored; sterigmata at first digitate, becoming slender, arcuate, to 8μ long. Paraphyses subclavate, about half the size of the basidia. Cystidia arising in the base of the hymenial layer when projecting to 60μ, and in the intermediate layer, cylindrical with rounded ends, often geniculated. distorted, or angled, occasionally strangulated or moniliform, coarsely crystal coated or the upper part naked, 40-90 × 6-10μ, lumen with two or three septa. Spores elliptical, 7-9 × 3 5-4μ, walls smooth, hyaline, 0.2μ thick.

Distribution. New Zealand.

Habitat. Effused on bark of dead branches.

Beilschmiedia tawa (A. Cunn.) Hook. f. & Benth. Auckland: Lake Rotoehu, 1,300ft, June, 1951, J. M. Dingley.

Brachyglottis repanda Forst. Auckland: White's Stream, Piha, January, 1953, J. M. Dingley; Wellington: Turakina Valley, 200ft. January, 1954, G. H. C.

Carpodetus serratus Forst. Auckland: Kauaeranga Valley, Thames, October, 1950, August, 1954, J. M. Dingley; Oratia, Waitakeres, 1,000ft July, 1951, J. M. Dingley; Swanson, 300ft, April, 1954, J. M. Dingley; Whitianga Road, Coromandel Peninsula, 500ft, October, 1954, J. M. Dingley. Otago: Horse Shoe Bay, Stewart Island, February, 1954, J. M. Dingley; Bragg's Bay, Stewart Island, February, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Coprosma robusta Raoul. Auckland: Earthquake Flat, Rotorua, 1,500ft, June, 1952, G. H. C.; Lake Okataina, 1,500ft, June, 1952, G. H. C.; Rangitoto Island, June, 1954, J. M. Dingley. Otago. Horse Shoe Bay, Stewart Island, February, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Melicytus ramiflorus Forst. Auckland: Kauaeranga Valley, Thames, August, 1954, S. D. Baker.

Myoporum laetum Forst. Auckland: Piha, March, 1950, J. M. Dingley.

Myrtus bullata Sol. Auckland: Lake Rotohu, 1.200ft, September, 1954, G. H. C.

Nothopanax anomalum (Hook.) Seem. Auckland: Waitakere Dam, October, 1951, J. M. Dingley.

Nothopanax arboreum (Forst. f.) Seem. Westland: Pukekura, November, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Pittosporum eugenioides A. Cunn. Auckland: Mt. Pihanga, 2,000ft, October, 1949, J. M. Dingley; type collection, P.D.D. herbarium, No. 7363.

Pittosporum eugenioides Banks & Sol. Auckland: Hatepe, 650ft, March, 1953, J. M. Dingley; Mountain Road, Henderson, 1,000ft, September, 1953, J. M. Dingley; Coromandel Peninsula, 1,600ft, August, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Pseudopanax crassifolium (Sol.) Koch. Auckland: Mt. Karioi, Raglan, March, 1951, J. M. Dingley.

Features enabling the species to be identified are the long, narrow, often geniculated or distorted, septate cystidia, elliptical spores and absence of clamp connexions. Septate cystidia are unusual, this being the only species present in New Zealand possessing them, though several extralimital species have been described with such a feature, namely, P. aspera (Pers.) Sacc. [= P. setigera (Fr.) H. & L.], P. pallidula Bres. (which may be a form of Odontia arguta), P. byssoides (Pers. ex Fr.) Bres., and P. polonensis (Bres.) H. & L. All differ, among other features, in possessing clamp connexions.

16. Peniophora cremea (Bresadola) Saccardo & Sydow, Sylloge Fungorum, 16, 195. 1902. Text-fig. 16.

• Corticium cremeum Bres., Fungi Trident., 2, 63, 1898.

• C. eichlerianum Bres., Ann. Myc., 1, 95, 1903.

• Peniophora arachnoidea Burt, Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard., 12, 220, 1926.

Hymenophore annual, membranous, adnate, effused forming linear areas 3-20 × 1-4 cm; surface cream, when old becoming tinted ochre, isabelline, or pallid reddish-brown, finely velutinate, sometimes sparsely creviced when old; margin thinning out, white, fibrillose, adnate. Context white, 150-500μ thick, basal layer narrow, of parallel hyphae, intermediate layer forming the bulk of the context, of loosely arranged hyphae becoming more dense and erect towards the surface; generative hyphae 6-8μ diameter at the base, attenuated beneath the hymenial layer to 4-6μ, walls 1.5-2μ thick, thinning towards the surface, coated with crystals beneath the hymenium, branched at a wide angle, septate. sometimes articulated at septa. without clamp connexions, bridging hyphae not uncommon. Hvmenial layer to 40μ, deep, a loose palisade of basidia, paraphyses and cystidia. Basidia subclavate, scarcely projecting, 26-36 × 5-6μ.4-spored; sterigmata slender, to 4μ long. Paraphyses subclavate, 16-20 × 3-4μ. Cystidia arising from the hymenial layer and subhymenium, the former projecting to 50μ, cylindrical with rounded apices or as often fusiform and with acuminate apices, 60-85 × 8-10μ walls 1μ thick, commonly with exposed areas finely crystal coated, sometimes with tips only coated, or a few naked; embedded cystidia narrowly fusiform, usually with acuminate apices, 45-72 × 12-20μ, upper half coarsely crystal coated. Spores elliptical or suballantoid, apiculate, 6-7.5 × 2.5-3μ, walls smooth, hyaline. 0.25μ thick.

Type Locality. Tyrol, Austria.

Distribution. Europe, North America, Japan, New Zealand.

Habitat. Effused on bark or decorticated dead wood.

Cytisus scoparius Link. Auckland: Waitetoko, Taupo, January, 1954, S. D. Baker.

Dysoxylum spectabile (Forst. f.) Hook. f. Auckland: Little Barrier Island, November, 1947, J. M. Dingley.

Entelea arborescens R. Br. Auckland: Awhitu Peninsula, 500ft, January, 1954, G. H. C.

Fuchsia excorticata L.f. Auckland: Lake Okataina, 1,400ft, December. 1953, G. H. C.

Leptospermum scoparium Forst. Auckland: Huia, 200ft. January, 1954, E. E. Chamberlain.

Macropiper excelsum (Forst. f.) Miq. Wellington; Blyth Track, Obakune, 2,000ft, January, 1954, S. D. Baker.

Text-fig. 16.—Peniophora cremea (Bres.) Sacc. & Syd. Text-Fig. 17.—Peniophora filamentosa (Berk. & Curt.) Burt. Transveise sections, X 500; spores X 1000. Original.

Metrosideros tomentosa A. Rich. Auckland: Huia, coast, January, 1954, Mrs. E. E. Chamberlain.

Nothofagus fusca (Hook. f.) Oerst. Auckland: Turangi, Taupo, October, 1949. J. M. Dingley. Westland: Ahaura, November, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Nothopanax arboreum (Forst. f.) Seem. Auckland: Maniaku Forest, 1,800ft, December, 1953, G. H. C.

Pinus radiata Don. Auckland: Campbell's Bay, January, 1951, Mrs. E. E. Chamberlain.

Rhopalostylis sapida (Sol.) Wendl. & Drude. Auckland: Oratia, September, 1948, D. W. McKenzie.

Rubus fruticosus L. Auckland: Campbell's Bay, November, 1946, Mrs. E. E. Chamberlain.

P. cremea and P. filamentosa show certain relationships, chief being that the hyphae of both are of greater diameter than in other species described herein, are without clamp connexions, and cystidia and spores are of similar shape and size. The former species differs from P. filamentosa in that hyphae are free from mucilage granules, though coated with hyaline crystals beneath the hymenium, possess thicker walls, branch at a wide angle, and margins are without rhizomorphs. Collections listed match a specimen in Kew herbarium, ex “Tyrol, Austria”, so named by V. Litschauer.

17. Peniophora filamentosa (Berkeley & Curtis) Burt, ex Coker, Elisha Mitchell Journal of Science, 36, 162, 1921. Text-fig. 17.

• Corticium filamentosum Berk. & Curt., Grevillea, 1, 178, 1873.

• C. petersii Berk. & Curt., Grevillea, 1, 177, 1873.

• Peniophora unicolor Peck, New York State Museum Report 43, 66, 1890

Hymenophore annual, membranous, fragile, loosely attached, rhizomorphic, effused forming irregular areas to 10 × 4 cm; surface pallid ochre or isabelline, even or as frequently farinose, scantily creviced when old and tending to lift at edges of crevices; margin thinning out, often strongly rhizomorphic, fibrillose, loosely attached, concolorous. Context bay-brown or ferruginous, 100-400μ thick, basal layer narrow, of parallel hyphae, often reduced to a few repent hyphae, intermediate layer of somewhat loosely arranged hyphae ascending at a wide angle, completely coated with dense granules of brown mucilage soluble in KOH, often embedding masses of crystals; generative hyphae 4-8μ diameter, walls 0.25μ thick, hyaline, branched, septate, sometimes constricted at septa, without clamp connexions. Hymenial layer to 60μ deep (including the subhymenium), a closely arranged palisade of basidia, paraphyses and cystidia Basidia subclavate, slightly projecting, 20-26 × 4-5μ, 2-4-spored; sterigmata slender, erect, to 7μ long. Paraphyses of the same diameter but shorter than the basidia. Cystidia arising from the hymenium and base of the subhymenium, narrowly conical or subfusiform, 32-80 × 10-16μ, coated for the greater part of their length with coarse crystals, a few projecting to 40μ. Spores oval or elliptical, apiculate, 5-6 × 2.5-3μ, walls smooth, hyaline, 0.2μ thick.

Type Locality. Alabama, U.S.A.

Distribution. North America, Great Britain, West Indies, Japan, South Africa, New Zealand.

Habitat. Effused on bark or decorticated dead branches.

Acacia melanoxylon R. Br. Auckland: Silverdale, October, 1950, J. M. Dingley.

Beilschmiedia tawa (A. Cunn.) Hook. f. & Benth. Auckland: Earthquake Flat, Rotorua, 1,800ft, September, 1950, G. H. C.

Melicytus ramiflorus Forst. Auckland: Mt. Wellington, September, 1931, M. Hodgkins.

Podocarpus spicatus R. Br. Auckland: Mt. Pihanga, 2,500ft, October, 1949, J. M. Dingley.

Rhipogonum scandens Forst. Auckland: Mountain Road, Henderson, 700ft, March, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Context hyphae afford a ready means of identifying this species. They are stout, attaining a diameter of 8μ near the base, thin-walled, and so heavily coated with masses of mucilage granules as to appear brown in sections, though walls are hyaline. The mucilage is soluble in potassium hydroxide, turning solutions a characteristic vinaceous colour, and in alcohol which it colours orange. Other basidiomycetes producing similar mucilage are Odontia archeri. Grandinia australis and Polyporus rutilans.

A related species, P. radicata (Henn.) H. & L., is represented in Kew herbarium by an Australian collection ex “Ballarat, Victoria, W. N. Cheesman, 1914”. It occurs also in New Zealand, for one specimen in our herbarium resembles that Australian collection; but as it is immature, a detailed description has not been prepared. The species differs from P. filamentosa in its thinner hyphae coloured yellow and hearing scanty granules, and allantoid spores.

18. Peniophora sororia sp. nov. Text-fig. 18.

Hymenophorum annuum, membranaceum, adnatum, effusum; superficie alba, aequa, non rimosa. Hyphae contextus fibulatae, 3-4μ diam., nudae. Basidia subclavata, 16-20 × 4-5μ, 4 sporis. Cystidia aculeata, eminentia, 64-105 × 5-7μ, crystallis sparsis verrucosis tecta. Sporae elliptical vel suballantoides, 7-9 × 4-5μ, laeves, hyalinae.

Hymenophore annual, membranous, adnate, effused forming irregular areas to 7 × 4 cm; surface white or ivory white, even, not creviced; margin thinning out, arachnoid, white, adnate. Context white, 60-100μ thick, basal layer scanty,

Text-fig. 18.—Peniophora sororia G. H. Cunn. Text-Fig. 19.—Peniophora longispora (Pat.) Hoehn. Transverse sections, X 500; spores X 1000. Original.

of parallel hyphae, intermediate layer of loosely arranged ascending hyphae branched at a wide angle, corymbose in the subhymenium; generative hyphae 3-4μ diameter, walls 0.25μ thick, hyaline, naked, branched, septate, with conspicuous clamp connexions. Hymenial layer to 25μ deep, a scanty and irregular palisade of basidia, paraphyses and cystidia. Basidia subclavate, 16-20 × 4-5μ, 4-spored, sterigmata slender, arcuate, 6-8μ long. Paraphyses scanty, subclavate, or cylindrical, shorter than the basidia. Cystidia arising from hyphae of the intermediate and basal layers, projecting to 60μ, aculeate with long-acuminate apices, 64-105 × 5-7μ, coated save at apices with scanty flattened crystals, walls hyaline, 0.5-1μ thick, thinning towards apices. Spores elliptical when flattened on one side, or suballantoid, 7-9 × 4-5μ, walls smooth, hyaline, 0.1μ thick.

Distribution. New Zealand.

Habitat. Effused on dead leaf midribs.

Rhopalostylis sapida (Sol.) Wendl. & Drude. Auckland: Cascades, Waitakeres, 900ft, April, 1954, S. D. Baker, type collection, P.D.D herbarium, No. 13816.

P. sororia and P. longispora show a close resemblance in structure of the context and especially the form of the cystidia. The latter are aculeate, taper from base to apex, project for about half their length, are relatively thin-walled, and bear small tuberculate scattered crystals often arranged like plates or scales. P. sororia is separated by its differently shaped shorter spores, and more delicate cystidia being, as its name implies, a little sister of the more robust P. longispora.

19. Peniophora longispora (Patouillard) Hoehnel, Annales Mycologici, 3, 325, 1905. Text-fig. 19.

• Hypochnus longisporus Pat. Jour. de Bot., 8. 221, 1894.

• Peniophora asperipilata Burt, Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard., 12, 230, 1926.

Hymenophore annual, membranous, adnate, effused forming small linear areas 5-15 × 1-2 cm; surface white drying pallid cream, even, not creviced; margin thinning out, arachnoid, white, adnate. Context white, 100-200μ thick, basal layer scanty, of a few parallel hyphae, intermediate layer of loosely arranged mainly ascending hvphae often branched at a wide angle, more freely in the subhymenium; generative hyphae 3-3.5μ diameter, walls 0.2μ thick, hyaline, branched, septate, with large clamp connexions, coated with crystals beneath the hymenium. Hymenial layer to 30μ deep, a lax palisade of basidia, paraphyses and cystidia Basidia subclavate, 20-26 × 5-6μ, 4-spored; sterigmata delicate, to 6μ long. Paraphyses subclavate, somewhat scanty, shorter and narrower than the basidia. Cystidia arising from the hymenium and hyphae of the intermediate layer, projecting to 60μ, aculeate with sometimes inflated bases, terminating in long-acuminate apices which are often collapsed, 60-112 × 4-5μ, coated save for apices with flat tuberculate crystals. walls 1μ thick, thinning towards apices. Spores narrowly rod-shaped with rounded ends, sometimes vermiform or slightly allantoid, 14-17 × 1 5-2 5μ, walls smooth, hyaline, 0.2μ thick; often adhering in fours.

Type Locality. Tunisia.

Distribution. North Africa, Europe, Great Britain, North America, West Indies, New Zealand.

Habitat. Effused on bark or decorticated dead wood.

Beilschmiedia tawa (A. Cunn.) Hook. f. & Benth. Auckland: Blue Lake, Rotorua, 1,300ft, June, 1951, J. M. Dingley.

Coprosma robusta Raoul. Auckland: Cornwallis, 40ft, January, 1953, J. D. Atkinson.

Leptospermum scoparium Forst. Auckland: Rangitoto Island. June, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Nothofaqus menziesii (Hook. f.) Oerst. Otago: Alton Valley. Tuatapere, 400ft, February, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Orylobium callistachys Benth. Auckland: Campbell's Bay, 150ft. November, 1946. Mrs. E. E. Chamberlain.

Unknown Host. Auckland: Te Whaiti. 1,500ft. June, 1951, J. M. Dingley.

Recognized readily by the long, rod-shaped spores often adhering in fours, and acicular cystidia projecting for half their length and coated with flat tuber culate crystals.

20. Peniophora sambuci (Persoon) Burt, Annals of Missouri Botanic Garden, 12, 233, 1926. Text-fig. 20.

• Thelephora sambuci Pers., Myc. Eur., 1, 152, 1822.

• Thelephora sera Pers., Myc. Eur., 1, 151, 1822.

• Peniophora thujae Burt, Ann. Missouri Bot. Gaid., 12, 236, 1926.

Hymenophore annual, sometimes biennial, membranous, adnate, effused forming irregular often linear areas 5-15 × 2-7 cm; surface white, drying cream, even or slightly tuberculate, often farinose, finally creviced deeply and irregularly: margin thinning out, sometimes indefinite, white, adnate, fibrillose or arachnoid. Context white, 80-150μ thick, basal layer scanty, of parallel hyphae, intermediate layer of loosely arranged mainly upright scantily branched hyphae, becoming more dense beneath the hymenium and scantily crystal coated in that region; generative hyphae 3-4μ diameter, walls 0.25μ thick, hyaline, branched at a wide angle, septate, with prominent clamp connexions. Hymeuial layer to 40μ deep, a loose palisade of basidia, paraphyses, cystidia and occasional para-physate hyphae. Basidia subelavate, slightly projecting, 16-22 × 4-5μ, 4-spored; sterigmata slender, to 5μ long. Paraphyses subclavate, similar to but shorter than the basidia. Cystidia arising from the hymenium and subhymenium, sometimes a few scattered in the intermediate layer, cylindrical, 30-50 × 5-8μ, projecting to 30μ, apices rounded or as often slightly capitate, finely or coarsely crystal coated or with apical portions naked. Spores broadly elliptical, many subglobose, 5-6 × 3.5-4μ, walls smooth, hyaline, 0.25μ thick.

Type Locality. Europe.

Distribution. Europe, Great Britain, North America, New Zealand.

Habitat. Effused on bark or decorticated wood of dead branches.

Berberis vulgaris L. Auckland: Te Puke, 150ft, May, 1954, J. D. Atkinson.

Coprosma australis (A. Rich.) Robinson Auckland: Mamaku Forest, 1,800ft, September, 1954. G. H. C.

Cyphomandra betacea Sendt. Auckland: Te Puke, 150ft, May 1954, J. D. Atkinson.

Elaeocarpus dentatus (Forst.) Vahl. Auckland: Blue Lake, Rotorua, 1,300ft, June, 1951, J. M. Dingley.

Geniostoma ligustrifohum A. Cunn. Auckland: Mt. Te Aroha, 1,000ft, May, 1954, J. M. Dingley; Waiomo Valley, Thames, August, 1954, J. M. Dingley.

Hedycarya arborea Forst. Auckland: Blue Lake, Rotorua, 1,300ft, June, 1951, J. M. Dingley.

Hoheria populnea A. Cunn. Auckland. Atkinson Park, Waitakeres, 900ft, June, 1953, J. M. Dingley.

Macropiper excelsum (Forst. f.) Miq. Auckland: Claudelands Reserve, Hamilton, 200ft, October, 1946, G. H. C. Wellington. Pohangma Reserve, 200ft, September, 1953, G. H. C.

Melicytus ramiflorus Forst. Auckland: Purewa Bush, August, December, 1948, D. W. McKenzie; Kauaeranga Valley, Thames, October, 1950, J. M. Dingley; Lake Okataina. 1,400ft, June, 1951, J. M. Dingley; Huia, November, 1952, J. M. Dingley; Mt. Te Aroha, 1,500ft, September, 1954, G. H. C. Wellington: Carter's Bush, Carterton, November, 1950, J. M. Dingley.

Metrosideros tomentosa A. Rich. Auckland: White's Stream, Piha, April, 1950, J. M. Dingley.

Nothopanax arboreum (Forst. f.) Seem. Wellington: Pohangina Reserve, 200ft, December, 1952, G. H. C.