354 Transactions. — Botany. 



sides of the lower rliachis. A peculiar abnormal very narrow stout linear 

 segment (nearly all nerve) arises vertically from forking of nerves in some 

 fronds. 



Hab. On rotten logs, forests, between Norsewood and Danneverke, 

 Waipawa County, 1880-1882 : W.C. ; also young and barren, Great Barrier 

 Islet, 1883 : Mr. C. P. Winkelmann. 



Obs. — Not yet detected bearing fruit ; the supposed " inner scale," as 

 seen through the clear outer one, may prove to be the laciniate tips of the 

 undeveloped calyptra, but if so it is very large and coloured. I know of no 

 New Zealand species bearing a large and plain outer scale like this ; 

 although that of S. longistipa, mihi, [sp. nov., infra) approached it ; it is a 

 striking characteristic. Some immature fronds have been noticed more 

 strongly forked, the fronds beginning at 2-3 lines above the branching 

 stipe. 

 7. Symphyogyna feetiela, sp. nov. 



Plant (? monoecious) gregarious ; rhizome stout, succulent, creeping 

 under soil ; fronds stipitate, erect, mostly 2 inches high, and about 1 inch 

 apart on rhizome. Stipe, li inch long, stout, green, succulent, sub-cylin- 

 drical, compressed and dilated at top, with sometimes small warted tuber- 

 cles (? antheridia) beneath on upper part. Frond, orbicular in outline 

 when expanded, symmetrical, generally of a reniform appearance, 4-5 lines 

 broad, 10-12 lines wide, multifid, divided into 2 (sometimes 3) main 

 branches, each subdivided into 3 branchlets, and each branchlet again 

 divided into 2-4 portions ; segments numerous, usually 20-40, linear, entire, 

 imbricate, slightly sinuate and waved, obtuse and emarginate ; colour 

 (adult) dark green. Fructification on the under surface (sometimes several 

 on a frond), on the main stipe below first forking, and also on the branches 

 above secondary forkings, arising from a gibbous tubercle ; involucre a 

 large sub-plicate scale, slightly laciniate ; calyptra greenish white, cylin- 

 drical, broad, smooth, membranaceous, truncate and dilated at apex ; 

 mouth very minutely and regularly toothed — sometimes 3 calyptras on a 

 single frond; capsule (immature within), oblong, blackish. 



Hab. In damp spots in dark woods, growing in large patches in rich 

 soil near Matamau, Seventy-mile Bush, Waipawa County, 1883 : W.C. 



Obs. — A very distinct and fine species, possessing a most disagreeable 

 smell, its strong A I gee-like odour resembling that of Chara fetid a ; this 

 strong smell is retained by long-dried specimens and emitted on their being 

 soaked, filling the room with its stink. The single fructification on the 

 main stem is surrounded by several largish scales, some longer than the 

 others, reminding of those of Steetzia lyellii. The natural affinities of this 

 species are with S. flabellata, rugulosa, and longistipa [sp. nov., infra), 

 though largely differing from them all, 



