T. Kirk. — On Lycopodium varium and L. billardieri. 377 



Sub-variety 1. Leaves obtuse, imbricate, keeled. 



,, 2. Leaves acute, slender, flat, spreading ; spikes slightly 



foliaceous. L. umbrosum, R. Br. 



Terrestrial, usually inhabiting mountain woods in the North and South 

 Islands ; descends to sea-level in Stewart Island, the Auckland Islands and 

 Campbell Islands. 

 y. billardieri. 



L. billardieri, Spring. Hook. f. Fl. N.Z., Handbook N.Z. Flora. 



Stems loosely tufted, suberect or pendulous, 2-5 feet long, excessively 

 dichotomously branched, midrib indistinct; spikes much branched, tetrago- 

 nous, slender, compact, flaccid, scales keeled, broad. 



In lowland woods. Epiphytal or rupestral. North Cape to Southland, 

 but of rare occurrence on the east coast of the South Island. 



The most striking form assumed by this variable plant and in its most 

 highly developed condition not to be mistaken for any other : pendent 

 masses of this plant 5 feet long are often seen in the forests of the North 

 Island, and at a short distance present the appearance of green network. 



Under L. varium, in "Flora Tasmania?," vol. ii., p. 156, Sir Joseph 

 Hooker states — ' ' When it (L. varium) inhabits warmer latitudes it grows 

 dependent from trees, is much branched, more slender and flaccid, and 

 becomes L. billardieri.'''' 

 I. gracile. 



Stems sparingly tufted, sub-erect, 6"-12" high, very slender, crowded, 

 spreading, linear, acute or obtuse. Spikes lax, simple or sparingly 

 branched, scales foliaceous, linear, three or four times longer than the 

 capsules. 



On the stems of tree-ferns. North Island — Wairarapa Valley : J. 

 Stewart Tandager. South Island — Maitai Valley : Dr. Boor and T. Kirk. 

 Westport, etc. 



A very graceful flaccid plant of a pale green hue and differing widely in 

 appearance from other forms. 



It is worthy of remark that New Zealand specimens of L. varium do 

 not exhibit any close approach to L. selago, as appears to be the case with 

 the Australian plant. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE XXIX. 



1. Lycopodium varium var. gracile. 



2. ,, „ spikes in a more advanced condition, natural size. 



