FLORA OP NEW ZEALAND. [Musci. 



Gen. XXIX. LEFTOSTOMUM, B. . 



Peristomium simplex, membranaceum, demum annulare, subdivismn, e membrana interiore (sporangio) 

 ortum. Capsula clavato-pyriformis, suberecta vel cernua, longipedunculata. Operculum brevissimum, sub- 

 conicum. Calyptra cucullata. — Elorescentia clioica: fl. mas. terminates, capituliformes. Caules dense 

 caspitosi, radicidoso-tomentosi. Eolia ovato-lanceolata, pilifera, crassinervia, areolis circularibus. 



The single peristome of Leptostomum, as is well observed by Schwsegrichen, is quite analogous to the inner one 

 of Bracliymenium, from which genus Leptostomum. chiefly differs in wanting the outer peristome (reduced to a mere 

 rudimentary border), in the rudimentary annulus, in the piliferous leaves, and in the areolation, which is nearly as in 

 Aulacomnion, to which genus it also approaches in the structure of the male flowers. 



1. Leptostomum gracile, R. Br.; caule subramoso, foliis erecto-patentibus confertis oblongis acutius- 

 culis inferioribus ovato-lanceolatis omnibus piliferis crassinerviis margine recurvo siccitate erectis appressis, 

 capsula oblonga subclavata inclinata, operculo hemisphserico. — B. Brown, Linn. Trans, v. 10. p. 321. 

 Schwcegr. Suppl. t. 104. Gymnostomum gracile, Hook. Muse. Bxot. t. 22. 



Var. /3 ; capsula subcylindrica erecta superne angustata. 



Hab. Throughout the Islands : Dusky Bay, Menzies. Bay of Islands, J. B. IB Milford Sound, 

 Lyall. Var. /3. Wangarei Bay, Colenso. 



Stems 2-3 inches high. Seta in Lyall's specimens 2 inches long. Leaves less obtuse than in L. inclinans, erect, 

 and closely imbricated when dry, margin more closely reflexed, hair-points usually straight (not wavy) ; areolation 

 closer and smaller ; nerve stronger and more opaque. Peristome a membranous white annulus, with evident traces 

 of division into sixteen bifid segments, as in Bracliymenium. Annulus persistent, obscure. Spores rather large, yel- 

 lowish, papillose. — The nerve of the leaf is composed of distinct woody tissue, with a central open canal. 



2. Leptostomum inclinans, R. Br. ; foliis erecto-patentibus laxius imbricatis ovato-oblongis obtusis 

 piliferis siccitate erectis margine reflexis, capsula inclinata obovato-clavata, operculo conico-hemisphserico. — 

 B, Brown, I. c. t. 23. Schwcegr. Suppl. I. 213. Gymnostomum inclinans, Hook. Muse. Bxot. t. 168. 



Hab. Northern Islands : Huiarau and Ruahamanga River, Colenso. 



A native of Tasmania. — Leaves more obtuse than in the preceding ; hair-points wavy, longer, thinner, and dia- 

 phanous, apex more evidently denticulate, margin less closely recurved, nerve paler, areola? larger and coarser. Cap- 

 sule larger, more ventricose, pale buff or yellowish, smooth. Peristome as in the preceding, more evidently divided 

 than shown in Schwsegrichen's figure. Spores ferruginous, papillose. 



3. Leptostomum maerocarpon, Iledw. • foliis elliptico-oblongis subobovatis concavis margine revolutis 

 pilo ramoso terminatis, capsula erecta ovato-oblonga microstoma, operculo obtuse conico. — Bryum maero- 

 carpon, Hedw. Muse. Frond, v. 3. t. 10. Leptostomum, Schwcegr., Bridel. 



Var. /3; caule setaque longioribus, foliis laxioribus margine minus revolutis. 



Hab. Common throughout the Islands; forming large tufts on rocks near the sea, and on trunks of 

 trees. Var. /3. Port William and Jackson's Bay, Lyall. 



A Tasmanian and New Holland plant, also said to be found in Tahiti.- — Leaves of softer texture than in the 

 preceding, opaque, with larger hexagonal areolae ; margin distinctly revolute; nerve thinner, the excurrent part 

 curiously branched, especially on the upper leaves. Capsule large, erect, not attenuated at the base. Peristome 

 smaller than in the preceding, but of the same structure.— L. ereetum, E. Brown, is nearly allied to this, but has the 

 hair-points simple. 



Gen. XXX. BRYUM, Bitten. 



Peristomium duplex : exterius, denies 16, sequidistantes, simpliccs, lanceolati, dorso linea longitudinal! 



