174 BRYOLOGY OF NEW ZEALAND. 
irregulariter rectangulares, elongatae, parietibus sat firmis nec multo i 
Peristomium duplex, dentes externi 
pulcherrime rosei, dense nec alte papillosi, plus minusve longitudinaliter 
striolati, sicci eleganter recurvi nec reflexi; processus 8, albidi vel rufi, 
perlati, parce papillosi, linea media atta angulata. Spori magni, 20--24p. 
This is a well-marked species, especially in its typical condition, 
remarkable for its very beautiful rosy-red outer peristome, and broad pink 
| or white processes. It is, owever, an exceedingly difficult plant to define, 
| being extremely variable in size, foliation, and fruit. The capsules may be 
short and wide, or elongate and cylindric, perfectly smooth or occasionally 
quite deeply plicate; the vaginula may be quite smooth or moderately | 
hairy; and, finally, the peristome may be quite pale, even a dirty white. 
The hairiness of the calyptra also varies somewhat, but it is usually not 
very densely clothed. As a rule, however, when this occurs, some capsules 
will show a trace at least of the red colour. The outer teeth—at least, 
he ; 
capsule will serve to distinguish it easily from all species but O. Beckettii 
and 0. tasmanicum. The former is a taller, much more robust plant, the 
dis usually in pairs, paler and less brightly coloured, with pale, not red 
peristome. - tasmanicum has forms which are puzzingly like O. lanci- 
re tasmanicum, moreover, are , markedly Ulotoid in ae and areolation 
like those of O. tasma manicum, though less markedly crisped when dry. It i 
no doubt forms of this species that Venturi (Rev. bryol., 1896, p. 65) Sar 
so perplexing in their relationship to . tasmanicum, and it is quite possible 
that the two species may ultimately have to be united. 
For the difference from O. austro-pulchellum see below. 
5. Orthotrichum austro-pulchellum C. M. in Hedwig., xxxvii, 139 (1898). 
This is a very doubtful plant. C. Mueller’s description is insufficient 
for a species of such a critical genus; he describes the peristome as — 
the outer teeth as “ glaberrims ” ; which seems improbable, especially 
they are “ aurantiaci:.” Moreover, a capsule of the original plant, bolloated 
by Beckett, and sent me by Brotherus, with the teeth orange-red, shows 
their dorsal surface very densely and highly sia iliode: and similarly with 
the ventral surface; the papillae on the inner face being in vertical lines, 
on the outer horizontal or spreading in fan-like direction, projecting 
under a high power. There is also a part of a single aera! remaining, 
_ broad, transversely articulate sper a median line, and coloured. In 
other respects the plant appears to be inseparable from 0. lancifolium. 
Tt is —— unsatisfactory to separate this species from the preceding 
