OP INDIA AND CEYLON. 
221 
Thallus long, narrow, thin, ribbon-like, oval in section, 
often zigzag, attached at base by creeping portion or foot, 
and with freely floating parts to 30 cm. long. Secondary 
shoots distichous, the lower ultimately floriferous, the 
rest deciduous with the tip of the thallus. Floral buds often 
slightly stalked, narrow. Pedicel of fruit about 6 mm. 
Thallus flattened, oval in section, to 6 mm. wide, tapering ; lower 
portion usually sparingly branched, creeping, attached to rock at base 
and usually at several outer points, upper usually freely floating, to 
10-30 cm. long, frequently branched, linear, often zigzag. Secondary 
shoots distichous on all parts of thallus, about 2-3 mm. apart, often 
on small lateral projections of the thallus, the lower or almost all 
ultimately floriferous, and then elongated above the thallus much as 
in the preceding species ; non-floriferous parts of thallus usually 
deciduous on exposure. Floral shoots in bud not closely crowded 
together, oblong or lanceolate to obovate, tapering downwards. 
Scales 4-5 or more, lower often connate, more or less helmet-shaped, 
at first with elongated leafy tips, which sometimes persist even after 
exposure (Z). Wightii phase). Spathe much as in preceding species. 
Pedicel 3-6 mm. in flower, elongating to about 6-7 mm. in fruit. 
Stigmas ovate to subulate, marcescent or deciduous. Fruit 1-2 mm. 
long, 8-ribbed, the dehiscence ribs broader than in D. elongata. 
Fruiting thallus usually prostrate on rocks, with erect fruit stalks. 
Nilgiris and Malabar Hills, on rocks in rapids, to 6,000 
feet. Flowers November to March. First discovered by 
Gardner and Wight. 
Paikara river, Nilgiris, near Paikara, Gardner ! Wight Î 
Proudlock ! Barber ! Gamble, 11,746 ! Willis River 
near Bangi Tappal,f Nilgiris, Gamble, 13,333 ! Malabar, 
Rev. E. Johnson ! 
A distinct species, fairly easily recognized by the thin 
ribbon-like thalli, short pedicels, and narrow floral shoots. 
It most nearly resembles D. stylosa, var. laciniata, or D. 
elongata. 
Gardner, who originally discovered and described this 
species, divides it into three, to which Wight adds a fourth, 
* Abundant at all ra^pids, commencing below the bridge near the Dak 
bungalow at Paikara ; especially good at Paikara Falls. 
t About 22 miles south-west of Ootacamund. near Avalanche. 
( 30 ; 
