Lichenes^] 



FLORA OP NEW ZEALAND. 



A very remarkable species, and I believe undescribed ; but allied to B. testacea, Fries, and apparently also to B. 

 icterica, Mont. (Crypt. Gaud.). The thallus a good deal resembles that of a Cladonia ; the scales are not so closely 

 packed as in many species of this genus (e.g. B. lurida), but show at intervals the earth on which they are growing; 

 they are also more finely divided than is usual for Biatora, though not so much dissected as B. prolifera, Mont. ! 

 Apotheeia variable in size and shape, of a singular hue, owing to the coloured medullary stratum shining through ; 

 they are covered with a glaucous farina, which is but partially persistent, and somewhat resemble in general appear- 

 ance those of Biatora aurantiaca, when they become confluent. The glaucous colour of the scales, taken in conjunc- 

 tion with the ferruginous inner stratum and under side, distinguish this Lichen at once. 



2. Biatora parvifolia, Mont.! Fl. Fernand. n. 97. Lecidea parvifolia, Pers. 

 Hab. Northern Island, Colenso. 



Found also in Brazil and Juan Fernandez. Allied to B. vemalis. 



3. Biatora byssoides, Fries, Licit. Furop.p. 257. Basomyces rupestris, Auctt. 

 Hab. Northern Island, Bay of Islands, on hill-sides, J. F). II. 



Apotheeia sessile or stipitate, flesh-coloured, nearly plane. Crust thin, inconspicuous.— Found throughout 

 Europe and North America, also in Chili (Montague). 



4. Biatora decipiens, Fries, Lich. Furop.p. 252. 



Hab. Northern Island, fertile, with Fndocarpon rufescens, Ach., Colenso. 



This beautiful Lichen ranges all over Europe and North America, and is also found in Malta (on calcareous 

 soil), Cyprus, and the Canary Islands. 



b. Thallo crustaceo. 



5. Biatora pachycarpa ?, Fries, Lich. Furop. p. 259. Desmaz. ! PL Crypt. Fr. Fxs. L. incanus, Borr.! 

 in F. Pot. t. 1683. 



Hab. Northern Island, on bark, Sinclair. 



It is just possible that this may be some other species ; the hypothallus is not visible in the only specimen 

 preserved, and the thallus is not at all pulverulent ; it is covered with little granular processes : the apotheeia are 

 less deeply coloured than in the European specimens, and less appressed to the crust. I am unwilling, however, to 

 propose it either as a new species, or even variety, from insufficient materials, more especially as it is evident that 

 the unequable bark on which it grows has prevented its full development. In other respects it agrees with Eu- 

 ropean specimens received from Mr. Borrer and Dr. Montague. 



6. Biatora marginiflexa, Bab.; "crusta albido-glaucescenti tenui minute rimosa demurn leprosa ni"ro- 

 limitata, apotheciis majoribus confertis madore purpureo-nigris disco prainoso convexo margine tenui flex- 

 uoso." Tayl. Lecidea marginiflexa, Tayl.! Lich. Antarct. n. 24. (Tab. CXXIX. B.) 



Hab. Northern Island, Colenso, J. B. II. 



" The lamina is shallow, whitish, and pellucid, resting on an equally shallow layer, which is brown, and lies on 

 much white cortical matter." Tayl. I.e. 



Dr. Montagne informs us that this does not appear to him to be distinct from L. tuberculosa, Fee, " ex spec, 

 auctoris ;" if so, Fee's figure (tab. 27. fig. 1) is indifferent. In appearance this plant (which appears to be rather 

 variable, unless more than one species be included by Dr. Taylor and ourselves under one name) greatly resembles 

 L. parasema and L. premnea, but is distinguished from both by the glauco-pruinose disc; the margin varies much 

 in thickness and in colour ; some specimens show the margin to be originally coloured, of a waxy hue and con- 

 sistence : hence the species is properly a Biatora. Hypothallus black, often obliterated. This Lichen grows on 

 the bark of Fropkis, etc., also over the rhizomata of Ferns (Niphololus). The same species has been collected in 

 Brazil by Mr. Spruce, and is probably common in the south. Sporidia very large, about ? i- T of an inch, oblong, 



