304 



FLORA OE NEW ZEALAND. 



[Lichenes. 



Tribe IV. CALICIFJE. 

 Gen. XXI. CALICIUM, Pen. 



The numerous and perplexing species of this genus are found almost entirely in Europe and North America, 

 especially in the colder parts of them ; we have also ft sessile from Madeira, but have no recollection of having seen a 

 specimen collected in the southern hemisphere until Mr. Colenso's plant came to hand. His discovery of this genus 

 and of Trypethelium in New Zealand goes to show how exceedingly ubiquitous all the genera of Lichens are, and 

 raises great presumption that this will be found to be the case more and more, as observations are increased. Till 

 comparatively lately Singula was thought to be wholly tropical, but one species (8. Babingtonii, Berk. !) is extremely 

 common in many parts of England, and very possibly several may be found on the coriaceous leaves of New Zea- 

 land trees and shrubs. GlypUs and Chiodecton are now also found in Europe, and probably occur in New Zealand. 



1. Calicium curium, Turn, et Borr. ! Lichenogr. Brit. p. 148. Schar.! Fxs. n. 248 {not of Fries, ac- 

 cording to Schcerer, Spicil. 235). 



Hab. Northern Island, on dead wood, Colenso. 



We believe our Lichen to be identical with Schaerer's plant, and with a specimen named by Mr. Borrer ; but 

 dare offer no opinion about the synonyms. 



Suborder IT. ANGIOCABPI, Fries. 



Tribe I. SPHjFROPHORFJE. 

 Gen. XXII. SPIMBOPHOBON, Pert. 



1. Sphserophoron tenerum, Laur. ! in Linn. v. 2. p. 45. t. ] ./'. 4. Mont. Voy. au Pole Sud, Crypt, 

 p. 172. Hook.fil. ! Fl. Ant. pp. 195. 530. t. 197./. 1. 



Hab. Northern and Middle Islands, Colenso, Lyall, etc. 



Dr. Hooker's remarks on the distinctive characters, the analysis, and the distribution of this plant, leave little 

 more to be said. In its ramification it comes nearest to S. fragile, Pers., but is much more slender and delicate; the 

 thick naked branches which bear the apothecia at their summits usually distinguish the plant at first sight, but Dr. 

 Hooker considers the decisive mark between this and S. coralloides and fragile to lie in the apothecia, " which in the 

 adult state are margined only with the remains of the thallodal border, which afterwards falls away entirely." 



2. Sphserophoron coralloides, Pers. Fries, Pick. Eur. p. 405. 

 Hab. Northern and Middle Islands, fertile, Colenso, Bidwitt, etc. 



In age, the contents of the apothecia are discharged, and the border only remains. Main stems roundish, 

 thick ; upon them are seated coral-like fibres. One of Mr. Colenso's specimens is growing on wood. 



3. Spheerophoron auslrale, Laur.! in Linn, ut supra, p. 44. Hook, fil.l Fl. Ant. pp. 195. 530. 

 (Tab. CXXX. C.) 



Var. (3. scrobiculatum, Bab. ; thallo glauco foliaceo dissecto marginibus erosis subtus niveo basi nigri- 

 cante, podetiis glaucis subcanalicnlatis demum explanatis latissimis subnudis passim squamulosis palmatis, 

 ramis subsimplicibus subtus niveis, apotheciis inferis maximis, margine latissimo reflexo lacero supra cor- 

 rugato scrobiculato. 



Hab. Northern Island, Colenso. Var. £. Northern and Middle Islands, Colenso, Lyall. (Growing 

 on earth, with quartz grains.) 



A troublesome species, several of whose forms are well described by Dr. Hooker (as above). The apothecia of 

 this and the following species arc inferior, and have their margins reflexed. One of Mr. Colenso's specimens 



