32 ^ JOURNAL OF A NATURALIST 
is one of the most lovely ferns in New Zealand, many of its 
gracefully flaccid fronds measuring upwards of 4 feet in 
length. The other, 4. Waikarense (283, n. sp., W. C.), is 
also handsome though smaller and much more rigid in 
its growth and habit than the preceding, having the lower 
divisions of its pinne, which are crowded, subimbricated on 
its rachis. Another new species of Lomaria (284, L. lati- 
folia, W. C.), was growing in these spots; in affinity this 
fern comes very near L. procera, Spreng., from which, how- 
ever, its solitary habit, broader pinne, which are fewer in 
number and deeply serrated and not decreasing in size 
downwards, sufficiently point out the distinction. I gazed 
entranced, notwithstanding the warring of the elements, upon 
these beautiful productions of nature, and wished much to 
secure good specimens. It was necessary, however, under 
existing circumstances, to content myself with a couple of 
samples of each species, and these, too, hastily gathered 
and put up dripping wet, to the very great astonishment of 
the natives. Proceeding on, I found, in more open situa- 
tions, a pretty little iridaceous plant (154), perhaps Lidertia 
micrantha,A.Cunn., (or a new species) growing most pratoatl yy 
reminding me in the distance of the “ daisied meads” of my 
fatlier bud: Ascending yet higher i in pelting rain, I dis- 
covered a handsome species of Viola (160), bearing a large 
white blossom with a fragrant smell. I hastily removed this 
interesting plant from its mossy bed to the bosom of my cloak, 
now nearly as wet as the bank where the flower originally 
grew. Along with it was a small Zpilobium (161), in leaf 
only with axillary inflorescence. In this neighbourhood, I 
obtained specimens of several plants of the Coprosma genus, 
which appeared new to me (167, 168, 169, 170); all small 
shrubs, from 3 to 5 feet in height. A small divaricated shrub 
without fruit, but apparently a Myrsine (179), I also took a 
memento of. A fine Lycopodium (173) with terminal spikes 
of fructification growing pendulous on trees attracted my 
attention; in habit and growth this plant much resembles 
. L. Flagellaria, Hook., of which it may possibly be a variety. 
