Cheeseman. — Additions fn the Neiv Zealand, Flora. 95 



at the back ; the two intermediate lobes distinct from the central one, 

 reaching half the height of the lateral lobes, broad, thick, and fleshy, jagged 

 at the top. Anther broad, produced into a pointed tij) that just overtops 

 the level of the median lobe of the colunm-wing. 



This interesting discovery is due to the activity of Mr. H. B. Matthews, 

 so well known from the many additions made by him to the orchid 

 flora of the North Cape peninsula. It is doubtless very closely allied to 

 T. ixioides and the Australian T. canaliculata, but appears to constantly differ 

 in the lateral lobes of the column being much longer, flattened, and more 

 copiously penicillate ; and the middle lobe, although denticulate at the top, 

 is not at all warted or crested at the back. The flowers appear to be 

 invariably blue ; but the column is surrounded by a narrow band of violet 

 just below the lobes, above which the colour is bright yellow. 



Art. XI. — A New Variety of Pteris macilenta. 

 By H. Carse. 



[Bead before the Auckland Institute, 20th December., JOIS : received by Editor, 

 30th December, 1918 ; issued separately, 14th May, 1919.] 



Pteris macilenta A. Eich. var. saxatilis Carse var. nov. 



Planta decumbens vel suberecta ; quam typo in partibus omnibus minor 

 tenuiorque Stipes 8-24 cm. longus, tenuis, canaliculatus, flavus, suffuscus 

 vel purpureus, glaber, mfra squamosus. Frondes 10-36 cm. longae, 8-15 cm. 

 latae, ovatae vel lanceolatae, valde membranaceae, hand lucidae ut in typo, 

 3-4-pinnatae. Rhachis fere filiformis. Pinnae primariae distantes, inferiores 

 8-18 cm. longae, adscendentes ; pinna terminalis 25 mm. longa ; segmenta 

 ultima alte et acute dentata, apex saepe laciniatus. Sori in segmentorum 

 sinubus brevissimi. 



This variety of Pteris macilenta has for years appeared to me worthy 

 of a distinctive name. It differs from the type in many important 

 characters, and, while occasionally forms connecting it with the type on 

 the one hand and with var pendida on the other are seen, the usual form 

 of this variety could not be mistaken. It is most plentiful in rather dry 

 .situations in forests, usually where detached rocks crop up. 



The following are some of its main characters : The plant is decumbent 

 or suberect, with a very short usually erect rhizome. Stipes 8-24 cm. long, 

 slender, grooved, pale yellow, reddish-brown, or almost purple (as are the 

 rhachises), darker at the base, quite smooth except for a few scales below. 

 Fronds 10-36 cm. long, 8-15 cm. wide, ovate or lanceolate, very mem- 

 branous, pale dull green, glabrous, 3- rarely 4-pinnate below ; rachis almost 

 filiform ; primary pinnae distant, usually 6 pairs, lower opposite, 8-15 cm. 

 long, obliquely placed on the stipes ; terminal pinnae 25 mm. long. 

 Secondary pinnae stalked, on the lower branches again pinnate, on the 

 upper pinnatifid, terminal ones adnate and decurrent. Pinnules 12-20 mm. 

 long. Ultimate segments deeply and sharply toothed, the apex often 

 laciniate. Veins free, or very slightly anastomosing along the costa. Sori 

 in notches between the segments, very short. 



Hub. — Among detached rocks in hilly forests, Mongonui County, Bay of 

 Islands, Whangarei, Manukau County : H. C. Coromandel Peninsula : 

 H. B. Matthews ! Thames ; D. PetrieJ 



