324 THE JOURNAL OF BOTANY 



inflorescences. Apparently related to C. coriacea, also a Mexican 

 species, but differing especially in the shape of the leaves and 

 stipules, and in the relative lengths of leaves and inflorescence. 



Leaves 8-5-11-5 cm. x 3-3-4-8 cm., petiole 1 cm.; stipules, 

 including apiculus, 3-4-5 mm. Peduncle about 3 cm., panicle 

 about 8 cm. of additional length. Calyx and ovary together not 

 \ exceeding 3 mm. ; pedicel about 3 mm. or less. 



MISCELLANEA BEYOLOGIOA— II. 



By H. N. Dixon, M.A., F.L.S. 



(Continued from p. 247.) 



Ditrichum flexifolium (Hook.) Hampe. 



In the course of revising the New Zealand species of Ditrichum 

 I arrived at some conclusions with regard to the above-named 

 moss, which, being of considerably wider application than the 

 Australasian forms, it may be worth while to put on record here. 



The Flora of Neiv Zealand describes two species of Triclio- 

 stomum, T. laxifolium H. f. & W., and T. setosum H. f. & W., 

 clearly closely allied to one another. The latter was recognized 

 later to be identical with the Chilian Leptotrichum affine CM., 

 and has been known recently as Ditrichum affine Hampe. The 

 authors of the Flora of New Zealand recognized the identity of 

 their T. laxifolium with the South African Dicranum flexifolium 

 Hook. Muse. Exot. t. 144 (1820), but they did not retain the 

 specific name, partly at least, no doubt, in consequence of the 

 existence of Dicranum flexifolium Hornsch. (1826), which would 

 at that time be considered properly placed in Dicranum, though 

 now known as Campylopus flexifolius (Hornsch.) Bry. Jav. In 

 accordance with modern views of nomenclature, however, Dicra- 

 num flexifolium Hook, must in any case have the priority, and 

 this was recognized by Hampe, who applies the name Ditrichum 

 flexifolium (Hook.) to the Australasian Trichostomum laxifolium 

 H. f. k W. For some reason or other he has not been followed 

 by later authors, and the two New Zealand plants have con- 

 tinued to be known as Ditrichum affine (CM.) and D. laxifolium 

 (H. f. & W.). 



After careful comparison of numerous specimens from Aus- 

 tralia and New Zealand, I have been led to the conclusion that 

 these two plants represent two very slightly different forms of one 

 and the same species. I have given my grounds for this conclu- 

 sion in the revision above referred to, and they need not be 

 repeated here. 



To avoid error, and in the absence of information as to the 

 grounds on which Hampe restored Hooker's name {flexifolium) 

 for the New Zealand plant, I have carefully examined the type of 

 Hooker's D. flexifolium, based on specimens gathered by Menzies 

 at the Cape of Good Hope in 1791. These show the same varia- 

 tions as are exhibited by the Australasian plants (which in part at 



