BARTRAMIACEAE, 227 
B. patens is a widely distributed and highly variable moss in the sub- 
antarctic region; it is synoicous, and has a donble peristome, the inner 
adherent to the outer and slightly imperfect. A Ps, of minor species 
have been described which are probably only forms of B. patens. The New 
Zealand B. papillata varies on parallel lines. It would therefore appear 
that there are two forms—the PORE MAE: dioicous, the subantarctic 
synoicous—inseparable cs any other characters, and highly Nema in 
parallel directions. It seems clear that the inflorescence ne more 
extended study, and I should be, quite prepared to find that this coven a 
heteroicous condition which would lead to the plants being united as 
B. patens. 
The Campbell Island record of B. patens is based on sterile specimens, 
and cannot therefore be safely referred there. 
4, Bartramia robusta H. f. & W., Fi. Antaret., i, 153 (1845): Handb. 
N.Z. Fi., p. 447. 
This is described as ss from B. patens—and therefore (inflorescence 
a, from B. papillata—in the more robust habit, Horr ad ee and 
ore rigid leaves, the dilated: base truly quadrate (7.e., not oblong or 
obovate) the capsule perfectly erect, and the lid rostellate ; aid essentially 
n the dioicous inflorescence. There is some doubt whether peristome 
exists 
The form of the leaf-base varies so greatly in this section that it will 
not afford a basis for specific distinction; there is no form constant to 
. papillata. The capsule in the type specimens of B. robusta is truly 
erect and symmetrical, and this may be a character of some importance ; 
but the unripe capsule in all the allied species tends to be more erect than 
Ww mature, and the mature capsules in B. robusta are decidedly 
suboblique. If the capsule is strictly gymnostomous this would, of course, 
be a strong character; the numerous old capsules show no trace of 
peristome, but oo of B. papillata at the same stage often betray no 
trace of it, and its absence is no certain indication that the fruit is truly 
peel ee 
I have New Zealand pm (coll. R. Brown ter., without locality— 
oung capsules are wanting, to show if erect or not. A very similar plant, 
however, gathered by Dr. Cockayne in the Cralcicbuts Mountains, has a 
double peristome. 
On the whole I am inclined to think B. robusta only a stout form 
of B. papillata, but pending further investigation it seems better to 
let it stand, on the basis of its erect (young) fruit, and the possibly 
gymnostomous capsule. 
It is recorded definitely only from the Lord Auckland Islands in the 
New Zealand region. The Mount Torlesse plant referred to above, and a 
plant from the Mount Cook district (coll. James Murray, No. 91), may also 
belong here 
