Musci.~] 



FLORA OF NEW ZEALAND. 



59 



persistans. Operculum oblique rostratum. Calyptra cucullata.— Caules perennes. Elorescentia monoica, 

 dioicave ; fl. mas. gemmaformis. 



This genus is here, as in 'Bryologia Europsea,' restricted to Gymnostomous Mosses, with the habit of Wemia 

 The former character is however merely negative, and of frequent occurrence (by suppression) in many Peristomous 

 genera. Other Gymnostomous Mosses are now referred to those groups with which, irrespective of the peristome 

 they have the closest affinity : thus PkyscomUrium has the general structure, aspect, and inflorescence of Funaria ■ 

 other species are referred to Bartramim, and the minute annual species to Seligerim. According to the arrangement 

 pursued in 'Bryologia Europsea/ these Gymnostomous Mosses may belong to any family of the Order, and even 

 Phascmd Mosses may be similarly dispersed. The genus Hymemstomum, which is retained in Bryol. Europ does 

 not appear to be d 1S tmct, for some of its species, and amongst them the only New Zealand one, has not the assumed 

 genenc character of a contracted mouth of the capsule, and consequent adhesion, after maturity, of the sporular sac 

 to the apex of the columella. 



L G y mnosto ™m calcareum, Nees et Hornsch. ; compacte casspitulosum, caule ramoso tenerrimo, 

 fobis lmean-lanceolatis patulis obtusiusculis margine planis, capsula ovali-oblonga brevicolla erythrostoma' 

 operculo subulato-conico.— Nees et Hornsch, Bryol. Germ. Bridel, Bryol. Europ. 



Var. 2 ; foliis longioribus siccitate crispulis. 



Hab. Northern Island : on clay soil, near the Bay of Islands. Yar. 2, on lime-walls. 



One of the smallest of the genus, found chiefly on calcareous rocks in Europe, but not frequent. The long oper- 

 culum, nearly equalling the capsule, distinguishes this from G. (erne, its smaller size from G. rupestre. 



_ 2. Gymnostomum tortile, Schwaegr. ; caulibus ramosis pulvinato-caaspitosis, ramis fastigiatis, foliis con- 

 fers patentibus sursum curvatis siccitate incurvo-tortilibus oblongo-lanceolatis obtusiusculis apiculatis 

 crassmervns solidioribus margine incurvis, capsula crassiuscula ovali, operculo hngimstio.— So/way r, 

 Suppl. t.10. Nees et Hornsch. Bridel. Hymenostomum tortile, Bryol. Europ. 



Var. 2 ; foliis magis patulis acuminatis. 



Var. 3 ; foliis angustioribus minus confertis acuminatis. 



Hab. Northern Island : on clay soil, Bay of Islands, J. B. II, Colenso. 



Very similar to Wemia controvert; distinguished by the absence of peristome and more robust habit; 

 leaves of firmer texture, wider and less strongly incurved in the margin. 



Gen. V. WEISSIA, Hedwig. 



Perislomium simplex, dentes sedecim, sequidistantes, basi liberi, lanceolati v. lineari-lanceolati, transverse 

 trabeculati, dorso convexi, integri vel pertusi, interdum apice bifidi, siccitate erecti vel patentes. Capsula 

 erecta, ovah-oblonga. Annulus persistens v. 0. Operculum oblique rostratum. -Caulesjaem^. Mores- 

 centia monoica dioicave ; fl. mas. gemmaformis. 



1. Weissia controversy Hedw.; caespitosa, foliis lanceolatis lineari-lanceolatisve margine incurvis et 

 involutis costa percursa mucronatis, capsula ovab siccitate substriata, operculo conico-rostellato, peristomii 

 dentibus subintegris lineari-lanceolatis obtusiusculis.— Hedw. Muse. Frond. Sehweegr. Hoot et Tayl. 

 W. viridula, Bridel, Bryol. Europ. 



Hab. Northern Island : near the Bay of Islands, J. B. H. Auckland, Knight. (A native of England.) 

 A very common British species, found in almost all parts of the world, on earthy banks, readily distinguished 

 by the involute margins of the leaves. It was however unknown to Linnaeus, and the name Bryum viridulum, L.,' 

 proves to have been misapplied to this Moss. 



2. Weissia ftmipes, Hook. fil. et Wils.; caespitosa, foliis lineari-lanceolatis angustatis elongatis 



