198 



FLORA OF NEW ZEALAND, 



\Fangi. 



The species of this genus form little raised specks, often surrounded by a coloured halo. The spores, which 

 are sometimes compound, spring from the surface of the cellular receptacle, so as to give the appearance of pins 

 stuck into a cushion. All the species hitherto discovered are found in temperate climates. (Name from em, upon, 

 and kokkos, a grain.) 



1. Epicoccum pallescens, Berk.; primum epidermide tectum, sporidocliio depresso cervino-fusco 

 margine radiante brevi fibrilloso, sporis subturbinatis cellulosis pallidis breviter pedicellatis. (Tab. CV, 

 Kg- 14.) 



Hab. On dead leaves of Earine, Tararua, Colenso. 



Forming minute fawn-coloured specks, which are at first closely covered by the epidermis, 

 sisting of two or three strata, each projecting beyond the other, the lowest forming a fimbriated margin, 

 pale fawn-coloured, turbinate, cellulose, supported by a short hyaline peduncle, each containing a distinct nucleus. — 

 Differing from all the other species, in its being produced beneath the cuticle, the nature of its sporidochium, and the 

 pale spores. — Plate CV. Kg. 14. Epicoccum pallescens, natural size. a. Ditto, magnified, b, young spores ; 

 a, mature spores : — magnified 250 diameters. 



Gen. LIT. (EDEMIUM, Lie. 



Flocci rigidi, opaci, ad latera protrudeates sporas magnas globosas ut plurimum reticulatas. 



The species of this genus have the appearance of black felt. It is distinguished from other genera of a similar 

 habit, by its large lateral spores, which resemble the fruit of Antennaria. Indeed if these bodies be regarded as 

 compound, the genera should be placed together; but as the point is uncertain, I leave the genus where it is placed 

 by Tries. (Name from oiS^a, a swelling?) 



1. (Edemium robustum, Berk. ; floccis rigidissimis erectis sursum ramosis, ramis ssepe incurvis sub- 

 moniliformibus. 



Hab. On bark of Hedycarya, Corynocarpus lavigata, etc., East Coast, near Bare Island, Colenso. 



Forming a black, shaggy stratum, consisting of thick (-^jf-g- of an inch), erect bristles, which bear above a few 

 slightly divided curved branches, paler than the stem, and whose articulations are more or less swollen. The base 

 of the flocci is often rough with a few creeping threads. Sporangia subglobose. — This, like other species of the 

 genus, is not well defined, in consequence of the difficulty of meeting with specimens in perfection. It is, however, 

 remarkable for its thick threads and mostly incurved branches, which will make it easy to recognize, and perhaps 

 may cause the transmission of better specimens. Its threads have frequently the vinous tint which is so remarkable 

 in other species. Sometimes they are divided dichotomously above, two or three times, before they bear the paler 

 curved ramuli. 



Gen. LIII. MAOEOSPOEIUM, Fries. 



Sporce erectse, stipitatse, multiseptatse, opacse, e floccis tenellis demum evanescentibus oriundse. 



The habit is almost that of Oladosporium, but the flocci are altogether subordinate, almost the whole plant con- 

 sisting of large, more or less clavate, multiseptate spores. Exotic forms have at present been little studied. (Name 

 from fj.aK.posi long, and atretpui, I sow.) 



1. Macrosporium ohtusiom, Berk. ; sporis brevibus pauci-articulatis obtusis, nucleis magnis. 



Hab. On the ostiola of Hypoxylon tuberiforme. 



Forming a thin olivaceous coat on the prominent ostiola. Flocci obsolete. Spores ^\^ of an inch long, clavate, 

 very obtuse, 4-5 -articulate, with a large globose nucleus in each endochrome. — This species comes the nearest to M. 

 punctiforme, Berk., but the articulations are more regular, without any vertical or oblique septa. 



