192 “BRYOLOGY OF NEW ZEALAND. 
aon *“ Auch kenne ich eine australische Art von Melbourne: P. Readeri 
deren Mundoefinung gleichsam nur eine Perforation ist.” It is 
senetbls that this is the present plant masquerading under a new name. 
The generic name Physcomitridium must be attributed to Roth. Brotherus 
(Musci, i, 513) writes that from the description he is inclined to refer it to 
Physcomitrella. It is certainly, I should say, nearest to that genus, but is, 
I think, best kept separate. Roth (loc. cit.) places it next to Physcomitrella, 
but a a doubt as to whether it should or should not be united with 
that, as owing t ee of material he has not been able to examine the 
stomata of P. je 
have been able to study the stomata from R. Brown’s material. They 
are very numerous, as in Physcomitrella, but they differ markedly. In that 
genus the perforation is small and elliptic (cf Limpr. Laubm. Deutschl., 
&c., 1, 158, fig. 59), bearing a small proportion to the size of its cell; in 
the present plant it is an elongate slit, as in most of the Funariaceae. 
Moreover, in Physcomitrella as figured by Limpricht the stomata are on a 
level with the exothecium cells, while here, as in Funaria fs akan ape 
they lie slightly below the surface and are partly covered by the ends of 
the surrounding cells. On the whole, therefore, I have thought it best to 
retain the genus Physcomitridium. 
Physcomitridium Readeri (C. M.) Roth, op. et loc. eit. (1911). 
Syn. Ephemerella Readeri C. M. in Hedwig., xli, 120 (1902). 
R. Brown gathered a plant “ Banks, R. Avon, Oct., 1905,” which he 
named in herbarium Phascum Chiltonii. This I find to be exactly identical 
with Physcomitridium Readeri as described and figured by Roth. 
t is a very interesting little plant, like a minute Pottia, with the 
me aE slightly exserted above the leaves; but it is cleistocarpous; the 
ule has a distinctly. differentiated conical apiculus, but it does not 
‘caasacs as a lid. The calyptra is small, not covering more than about 
+ of the capsule ; is staal and mitriform, slightly split at the base ; the 
spores are large, 30-37, finely and distinctly echinulate. e leaves are 
obovate-spathulate, rounded above and obtuse, obtusely serrate near apex, 
very laxly areolate, with a nerve ceasing above the middle. The seta (with 
vagina) about equals 14 or twice the length of the capsule. 
PuyscomitTrium Fuernr. in Flora, xiii, p. 11; Ergaenz, p. 9 (1829). 
Of the four species included in the Havdhook. two are now placed in 
Funaria ; a ses there described as P. piriforme is now distinguished 
P. conicw: 
Ly TO THE SPECIES. 
peas very short ; capsule immersed ; calyptra very small ne -- 1. pusillum. 
ta elongate, capsule much euneeles calyptra larger ae -. 2. conicum. 
1. Physcomitrium pusillum H. f. & W., Fl. N.Z., ii, 92 (1855); Handb. 
N.Z. Fl., p. 451. 
A very small Phascoid moss, with immersed subglobose capsule, the 
yptra covering rae age conical lid, the leaves spreading when moist, 
incurved over tk hen dry, spathulate, acuminate, subentire, the 
It appears to be a very rare species in New Zealand, if not overlooked. 
It is endemic, and I do tle know of any record of it but that of Sinclair. 
in the North Island. 
ES 
