CoLENSo. — On neiv Cryptogamic Plants. 283 



appearance of a nerve), and this slightly decurrent on the stem 

 parallel with the proper margin ; cells minute, of various shapes 

 and sizes (mostly oblong), rather opaque. Involucral leaves 

 similar, but laciniate on both margins, the lacinige larger, curved, 

 and bi-laciniate. Perianths few, terminal on tips of main 

 branches, free, peduncled, obovate-obloug, compressed, sides 

 straight, mouth largely cilio-laciniate ; lips scarcely rounded ; 

 cells as in leaves. Capsule slightly exserted, small, oval, 

 reddish-brown ; valves oblong, obtuse. Male plant still more 

 slender, wiry, attenuated and diffuse ; 3-4 small branchlets of 

 spikes near the top of main stem, sub-fasciculate, the branchlet 

 continued above the spike with the spikes double on it ; spikes 

 very narrow, 2 lines long ; scales 3-4-toothed at apex, tips 

 recurved, 



Hab. On wet logs, etc., forming closely-growing loose 

 tangled masses ; low wet woods near Norsewood, County of 

 Waipawa; 1886: W.C. 



Ohs. In general form and habit this species will rank near 

 to P. tenuis, Lind., (an East Indian and West Indian species,) 

 and the male plant with that of P. deltoidea, Lind. It is also 

 pretty closely allied to the following species, P. distans. 



5. P. distans, sp. no v. 



Plant creeping, slender, wiry, procumbent, and sub-erect. 

 Stems delicate, 1^-2 inches high, leafy to base, simple, forked 

 at top and sometimes sub-fascicled with 2-4 branchlets ; 

 tops of stems sub-flabellate ; stems (including leaves) mostly 

 about 1 line wide, the largest sometimes 1^ lines ; stems 

 light reddish-brown. Leaves on stems small, alternate, very 

 distant, sub-obovate, dimidiate, flat, spreading, ventral margin 

 much arched, dorsal straight, a few large distant teeth (4-7) 

 at apex and on anterior portion of ventral margin, generally 

 3 spinous teeth at apex, the one at the outer anterior angle 

 being the longest, dorsal margin entire ; leaves generally larger 

 at tops of branchlets and about the perianth, light green ; cells 

 orbicular, wnth thick walls and minute circular cellules in the 

 interstices. Involucral leaves similar, erect. Perianths terminal 

 on branchlets, obovate, -^ inch long ; mouth narrow ; lips 

 largely ciliate-dentate ; teeth few, flexuous ; cells as in leaves. 

 Male plant still more slender, sometimes 3 spikes on a branch, 

 with leaves in the interspaces, each spike about 1^ lines long ; 

 scales sub-erect, tips 2-fid. The tips of the branches are some- 

 times flagellate and scaly ; some of the stems are also exceed- 

 ingly fine and slender, being only i line wide, including their 

 pinnate leaves. 



Hab. On trees, in low wet woods, forming rather large and 

 densely compact patches ; near Norsewood, County of Waipawa ; 

 1886:'Pf.C. 



