POLYTRICHACEAE. 237 
P. tortile es )» which has a shorter, more inclined and asymmetrical capsule, 
and shorte 
As is a case with some allied species in India, the oes of the capsule 
is extremely variable, and, while partially connected. wi the degree of 
capsules of the same age on the same gathering some of which were 
absolutely smooth, others with faint traces of ribs, and others distinctly 
siX-ri 
The cylindrical, nearly symmetrical capsule, terete or faintly ribbed, 
together with the short, widely pointed leaves, densely lamellate, separates 
it at once from the species of Polytrichum as well as from the plants of the 
allied genera. 
Potytricuum (Dill.) L., Syst. Nat., ed. i (1735). 
Y TO THE SPECI 
Margin bid faites maa et ta strongly inflected, ale entire -. 2 juniperinum. 
2. Capsule pein’ more or less inclined, usually gibbous a eee alpinum. 
Capsule angled 3 
ge Apical = of lncieliae3 in bic bifid « or caine ae of Inacio 
10-12, wide -. 3. commune. 
Apical eel of lamellae similar to the lower ; ; leaf-cells 15-18 .. 4. gracile. 
All four species are such well-known and early described ones that there 
_ is no need to do more than briefly refer to them. 
1. Polytrichum alpinum L., Handb. N.Z. Fl., p. 455. 
Syn. Pogonatum alpinum Roehl et auct. plur. 
Apparently rare in New Zealand. 
hs balenigent juniperinum Willd., FI. Sights Prodr., p. 305 (1787) ; 
N.Z., ii, 96; Handb. N.Z. Fl. , p. 455. 
Syn. Ae Ndaieedit C. M. in eG , Xxxvi, 345 (1899). 
P. ju oe a takes on a reddish tint, and P. rubiginosum is 
simply one of the: 
s and the sa se are practically cosmopolitan, and are widely 
distributed in New Zeal 
3. Polytrichum commune L., Fl. N.Z., i, 96; Handb. N.Z. FL, p. 455. 
Very variable in size and _ ante and direction of leaf, development 
of perichaetium, and size of capsule. 
4, Polytrichum gracile ag in Trans. Linn. Soc., iv, 73 (1798); 
Handb. N.Z. Fl., p. 4 
This appears to be very rare in New Zealand. I have received no 
specimens from there; there are only two in the Kew collection, both 
leg. Sinclair and Haast, and probably representing a single gathering. 
DAWSONIACEAE. 
Dawson R. Br. in Trans. Linn. Soc., x, 316 (1811). 
Dawsonia superba Grev. in Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist., 1847, p. 226; FI. 
N.Z., ii, 97; Handb. N.Z. FI., p. 455. 
This magnificent moss is too well known to need description. It is 
found in any North and South Islands, and is probably fairly common ; 
ted by 
it extends to Tasmania and Australia. In Papua it is represen 
Poa ee ee D. altissima Geh. 
