316 Transactions. — Botany. 



this list— namely, Metrosideros tcnuifolia, Col.,* and this from 

 its very peculiar manner of growth, its pleasing colour, and 

 its strange homes. I only first detected this plant about a 

 year ago, and then (like many others) it was confined to one 

 spot, where, however, it grew abundantly. Since then I have 

 noticed it growing in several places, but all similar — that is, 

 on the sides of steep cliffs, all the better if somewhat concave. 

 In such spots it revels, repeatedly overrunning itself, flourish- 

 ing luxuriantly. It adheres very closely to the soil, like small- 

 leaved ivy, in England, to trees. The great regularity of its 

 little round and glossy leaves, and its numerous slender red 

 branchlets, afford a charming picture. What an elegant plant 

 for rock-work, and for a permanent stone or clay alcove or 

 bower ! But words fail to describe this lowly-living ever- 

 green beauty. 



There are yet some other peculiar plants, which, though 

 small singly in themselves, and of no striking beauty to arrest 

 the eye of the beholder, should not be overlooked, as they 

 often impart, from their curious appearance and situation on 

 the dead and dry overhanging branches of trees, additional 

 solemnity to the shaded and secluded woodland scenery. 



Of these are some of our larger and foliaceous tree-lichens, 

 such as several species of the genus Sticta, viz. : S. fossulata, 

 Dufour; S. frcycinctii, Delise; S. argyracea and S.carpoloma, 

 Delise ; and Usnca barbata, Fries (" old-man's beard"), several 

 varieties. 



It is well known that lichens live to a very great age ; 

 they retain their vegetative and productive powers uninjured 

 throughout the hottest and driest seasons on the highest and 

 most exposed dead branches : although, on gathering them at 

 such times, they crumble to fine powder in the act, yet, on 

 their becoming wetted from rain or dew, they are soft and 

 flaccid, and may be folded up without breakage or injury. 



I have seen very large specimens of the above-mentioned 

 lichens, some specimens of the Usnca (fitly termed "old-man's 

 beard," being thread-like, bushy, and pendent), 1ft. -2ft. long; 

 and some specimens of Sticta extending from 1ft. to 18in. in 

 diameter, and very fully and complexedly branched, their 

 branches flat and bearing much fruit, which is often curiously 

 and regularly placed like little shields or saucers on their 

 margins. 



They are all very numerous, and grow to perfection in 

 damp gullies, especially on overhanging trees and shrubs in 

 their sides in sheltered declivities ; and often, when they are of 

 a large size, and sombre lurid leathery appearance, hanging 

 from the bare and dead branches, they give an uncanny, 



* Trans. N.Z. Inst., vol. sxiv., p. 387. 



