274 Transactions. — Botany. 



Christchurch. In both stations it occurs near long-frequented 

 routes of traffic, and is most likely introduced, though it is 

 quite possible that it may be native. It will, however, have 

 to be found under less equivocal conditions before its indi- 

 genous character can be regarded as certain. In both localities 

 it is firmly established. 



14. Juncus gerardi, Loisel. 



This European species is now w"ell established on the 

 muddy beaches of Otago Harbour, near Anderson's Bay. I 

 have watched it for some seasons, but have never found it set 

 fruit, a peculiarity for which I am unable to account. Mr. 

 A. C. Purdie informs me that in former years it grew at the 

 mouth of the Kaikorai Lagoon, in the Green Island district, 

 but I have not had opportunity to verify his observation. 



15. Gastrodia minor, D. Petrie. 



In the fruiting state of this species, the flowers, which are 

 at first almost pendulous, become erect and parallel with the 

 axis of the spike. It seems to be parasitic on the roots of 

 Leptosiicrnmm cricoides, A. Eich., but I have not been able to 

 satisfy myself on this point. It has flowered very sparingly 

 this season. 



Aet. XXVI. — On Four Ncio Species of New Zealand Musci. 



By T. W. Naylor Beckett, F.L.S. 



\Bead before the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, dth October, 1893.] 



Plates XXV.-XXVIII. 



Phascum austro-crispum, sp. nov. 



Autoicous. Densely gregarious, minute. Stem short, 

 much divided. Leaves, when dry, curled and contorted, with 

 the margins incurved, curved, from an oval base linear-lanceo- 

 late ; lower leaves smaller ; perichsetial leaves much longer, 

 slightly secund, 2-2J lines long. Nerve canaliculate, very 

 stout, excurrent in a stout mucro, margins entire. Cells of 

 lower part of leaf hyaline lax long- rectangular, above quad- 

 rate and densely chlorophyllose. Seta short, yellow, same 

 length as the capsule. Capsule immersed, oval or roundish- 

 oval (rarely two in one perichaQtium). Operculum conical, 

 produced into a stout, short, blunt, inclined or straight beak. 

 Calyptra dimidiate, smooth, base entire, reaching below the 

 middle of the capsule. Cladautoicous, the male inflorescence 



