248 TASMANIAN BRYOrHYTA, 



R.S. TA&, 



rigid, narrow, with a short, broad, sheathing base, nerve 

 broad ; njoper surface densely covered with short erect 

 lamellae. Capsule flattened on the upper surface, mouth 

 small, bearing a peristome of numerous long erect simple 

 hairs free at the apex. 



Dawsonia superha Grev. 



Very tall, 20 cm. Leaves lanceolate, patent, 20 mm.,, 

 acute, margin wath spinulose teeth. Seta stcmt shorter 

 than the terminal leaves. Capsule obovate, inclined, flat- 

 tened on the upj^er surface, 8 mm., mouth 1.3 mm., peri- 

 stome pale, 3.5 mm. 



Near Ulverstone, North West Coast. 



Fam. 16— BUXBAUMIACEAE. 



The plants are very small, stems very short and leaves 

 rudimentary. Capsule on a relatively stout, erect seta, 

 oblique, flattened on the upper surface, gibbous on the 

 lower; calyptra minute conic; lid minute, conic; peri- 

 stome of one or several series of small, linear teeth; endo- 

 stome of a 32-plicate membrane in foiin of a twisted trun- 

 cate cone. 



The family consists of but one genus and that of but 

 three or four species. They are rare and sporadic in their 

 appearance, their small size greatly assisting their escape 

 from observation. The peristome teeth being without cross 

 septa appears to indicate relationship to Polytrichaceae, 

 otherwise they seem to have no close affinity to other 

 mosses. Probably of reduced form in response to a 

 saprophytic habit. 



BuxBAUMiA Haller. 



Very small, erect, scattered. Leaves extremely minuter 

 broadly ovate or oblong, coarsely serrated, or laciniate, 

 colourless; cells large, oblong. Male plants very minute, 

 few leaved and with one or two subglobose antheridia^ 

 Female plants very small with 10-12 bract leaves. 



Buxhauinia tasmaniea Mitt. 

 Probably not distinct from B. indusiata^ Brid., but no 

 specimen is present in any available collection. It w^as 

 gathered by Mr. Archer at Cheshunt in the middle of last 

 century. 



Fam. 17— ANDRE ACE AE. 

 Small dark (red, brown, black, rarely greenish) mosses 

 growing in dense cushions. Stems short to medium and 

 slender, branches few, vasjue. Leaves small, mare or less 



