284 Transactions. — Botany. 



but very distinct. Leaves remarkably crisp and contracted 

 when dry, but quickly resuming their natural appearance on 

 being wetted. 



2. H. maculata, sp. nov. 



Plant small, f-l£ inches high, erect, csespitose, closely 

 imbricate, much and sub-palmately branched ; branches flat, 

 broadest at top, decurved at tips ; densely matted below with 

 brown rootlets. Leaves sexfariously disposed, closely imbricate, 

 broadly elliptic, l£ lines long, all nearly alike, spreading ; 

 young leaves pale green, when old spotted at tips of a bronze 

 colour, or each tip bearing a round spot of that colour ; margins 

 entire, but under a high power delicately and regularly den- 

 ticulate ; nerve red, very stout at base, extending about fths of 

 leaf, slightly forked near tip ; cells sub-orbicular, excessively 

 small except at the centre from middle downwards ; there large, 

 open, increasing in size to base, the basal cells sub-quadrately- 

 oblong. Fruit-stalk very short, 1-J- — 2 lines long, black, twisted, 

 flexuous, glossy, thickened at base ; few. Capsule minute, about 

 \ line long, obovate-oblong, sub-erect (horizontal when dry), 

 finely reticulate, sub-tuberculate, sub-apophysate, blackish-brown, 

 glossy, thickened at base. Operculum and calyptra not seen. 



Hah. Shaded spots, base eastern slopes of Rnahine moun- 

 tain range, County of Waipawa ; 1885 : Mr. H. Hill. 



Obs. An interesting little species ; its regularly spotted 

 appearance giving it a peculiar aspect. It differs much from the 

 other New Zealand species of this genus, its nearest ally being 

 H. sciadophila, Col. I have received a large tuft of it from Mr. 

 Hill, containing many plants, but as there were only three 

 fruiting specimens, I did not break up one of them to ascertain 

 the structure of the peristome and pencbastial leaves. When 

 the old leaves below decay, or are gnawed by some insect, the 

 red nerves are left, presenting another peculiar appearance. 



Order V. HEPATIC^. 

 Genus 7. Gottschea, Nees. 

 1. G. dichotoma, sp. nov. 



Plant large, procumbent and sub-pendulous, dichotomous, 

 8-9 inches long, much branched ; branches repeatedly forked, 

 spreading largely, leafy, 1-5 inches long, £ inch wide, light- 

 green, flaccid ; stems stout, cylindrical, woody, blackish, naked 

 and rigid below. Leaves somewhat distant, free, imbricated, 

 oblong-ovate, finely serrulate ; ventral (or under) obtuse, very 

 thin, flat, not plaited, ciliate on upper basal margin ; dorsal (or 

 upper) wavy, rumpled, margins slightly irregular, upper basal 

 portion very broad, round, and overlapping, apex very acute, 

 free ; in their axils 2-3 6mall, narrow scale-like leaves, much 

 ciliated. Stipules large, nearly 2 lines wide, situate within (or 



