T. Kirz.—On a new Species of Hymenophyllum. 407 
catkins are closely appressed, and ascending, but when the sporangia dis- 
charge their contents the tips of the scales become patent or even reflexed. 
The points of the young shoots are often of a reddis colour, and when 
growing in exposed situations the leaves become harsh and pungent. 
Not unfrequently two spikes are produced from the apex of a branch, 
and rarely the fertile branch is overtopped by a luxuriant “ usurping shoot,” 
so that the spike appears to be lateral, showing its close affinity with 
L. laterale, which is still further strengthened by the fact that in that species 
the spikes are not invariably sessile, Lut occasionally are developed on very 
short leafy peduncles. 
It is worthy of noto that in L. laterale the spikes are frequently confined 
to one side of the stem. 
Our plant has affinities also with L. clavatum, ¢ magellanicum. 
L. laterale and L. divulsum are considered distinct by Bentham, in Flora 
Australiensis (Vol. VIL, p. 675.] In New Zealand the latter form is not 
confined to alpine districts, but occasionally occurs in peaty bogs, from tho 
sea level upwards, and notwithstanding its rigid appearance passes by 
insensible gradations into the typical form of L. laterale. 
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XIX., Tig. D. 
Lycopodium ramulosum, n. 8. 
Old spike, with empty sporangia, enlarged. 
2. Bract, outer face, magnified. 
8. Bract, inner face with sporangium, magnified. 
4, Spores, highly magnified. 
Ant, LXXIV.—Deseription of a new Species of Hymenophyllum., 
Kier, F.L.8. 
Plate XIX., fig. A 
[Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, Ilth January, 1879. 
Hymenophyllum rufescens, n.s. 
Rarzoxme creeping slender; stipes, costa and veins when young 
sparingly clothed with deciduous curved hairs; stipes, very slender, 1-2 
inches long, longer than the frond; frond 1-1} inches long, deltoid, 
sometimes cunoato at tho base, pinnate, rachis winged abovo the second 
