4i5G Trausaciions. — Zoolorpj. 



clear that a high rate of profit must he realized hy the merchant and retailer 

 alike. 



Specimens of onr plant, from Christchurch and Wellington, were exhi- 

 bited at the Vienna Exhibition under the name of Jew's-ear Fungus, 

 Hiriieola aiiriciiIa-jiuUr, an allied species Avhich occurs in the colony, but 

 Adiich is decidedly rare when compared with H. poli/lriclia. The two plants 

 may be easily distinguished, //. poh/trlcha being greyish or cinereous, while 

 H. aurintla-jndcB is usually of a piuldsh tint. 



Another species of Hinicola is collected in Tahiti for export to China, 

 and a larger species, found in Northern China, is said to be extensively 

 collected for home use. 



"We have thus before us the singular phenomenon of a product, utterly 

 useless in the countries where it is found, being utilized by one of the least 

 progressive people on the face of the earth, thus reversing the ordinary 

 condition in which the civilized race utilizes the natural products of others 

 less favoured. 



Aet. LXXIII. — Description of a new Species of Lycopodium.. 

 By T. luEE, r.L.S. 



Plate XIX., fig. B. 

 [Read before the Wellington Plillosopliical Societij, 11th Januartj, 1879.] 

 Lycopodium. ramulosuin, n. s.' 

 A PROcmiBSXT plant forming compact masses; stems 2-4 inches long, 

 rather stout, repeatedly dichotomously branched ; leaves crowded all round 

 the stem, imbricated or spreading J-i inch long, narrow subulate, coria- 

 ceous above, acute or pungent; spikes numerous, terminal 4— |- inch long, 

 bracts small, sessile,, ovate, abruptly acuminate, slightly toothed. 



iia/;.— South Island: Hokitika, W. Tiplcr ! Okarito, J. Hamilton! 



This plant differs trom all other New Zealand species in its denec, com- 

 pact habit ; in some respects it closely approaches L. latcralc, j3. (I'J'usinn, 

 but that form is always erect, or sub-erect, and never grows in compact 

 masses ; moreover, it is but sparingly branched, and never has terminal 

 spikes. In all these points our plant is strongly marked, and may easily bo 

 recognized at sight. It was originally discovered near Hokitika by Mr« 

 Tipler, and subsequently at Okarito by Mr. Hamilton. I am indebted to 

 both gentlemen for a supply of specimens. 



The spikes of our plant differ but little from those of L. latcralc, Br.j 

 except iu their greater uumbor and smaller size. lu the young state tho 



