348 
PACIFIC SCIENCE, Vol. Ill, October, 1949 
plurilocular sporangia unknown. The basal di- 
stromatic or tristromatic layer characteristic of 
the genus is barely distinguishable in this spe- 
cies, but it appears to exist. 
The new species is closely related to H. 
gelatinosum Saunders in habit and stature but 
differs principally in the absence of plurilocular 
bodies, and in the poorly developed basal layer. 
It also has affinities with H. pangoensis (Setch.) 
Hollenbg. which is, however, smaller in its 
dimensions. 
Forming low, slippery, continuous, suede- 
like patches mostly of large size on smooth 
boulders, somewhat resembling Ralfsia, but not 
crusty. On removal from rocks it becomes a 
pulpy, gelatinous mass. Small fragments on 
the microscope slide press out, under the cover 
slip, into circular tufts of radiating filaments 
with the bases closely adpressed in the center. 
Distribution: In the intertidal region in the 
more exposed situations probably throughout 
New Zealand. Definitely known from Russell, 
Pihama (Taranaki), Kaikoura, Stewart Island 
( the type locality ) . Mostly summer and autumn. 
Type specimen No. 11320, Herbarium Lin- 
dauer, deposited in the Herbarium of Auckland 
University College. 
Leathesia novae-zelandiae sp. nov. 
Fig. 5 a-d. 
Frondibus epiphyticis, fusco-oleaginis, glabris, 
solidis, hemisphaericis, ad 7 mm. diametro, 4 
mm. altis, filamenta e 5-9 cellulis assimilantibus, 
clavatis, cellula terminali obovoida; sporangiis 
unilocularibus obovoidis, 71-90 g longis, 34-45 
g latis. 
Fronds epiphytic, olive-brown, glabrous, solid, 
hemispherical, up to 7 mm. in diameter and 4 
mm. high, assimilating filaments of 5-9 cells, 
clavate, the terminal cell obovoid; unilocular 
sporangia obovoid, 71-90 g long and 34-45 g 
wide. 
The juvenile frond arises from a prostrate 
basal system of radial, compact, branched fila- 
ments, and may readily be mistaken for Myrio- 
nema. The periphery of the mature thallus is 
oval, circular, or slightly irregular in outline, 
convolutions on the surface are wanting, but a 
dimple sometimes develops in the center of the 
rounded upper surface. The under surface is 
concave even in specimens of 1 mm. in diameter 
and less, so that the detached thallus resembles 
the "cap” of a mushroom. The attachment 
appears in the center of the concavity as a 
slightly raised dark brown patch, 1.5-2 mm. 
in diameter in the largest specimens; this may 
be distinctly seen from the reverse side of the 
frond of the host plant if held to the light. 
This plant is distinct from any other species 
of the genus known to the author. 
Distribution: Epiphytic on both surfaces of 
the fronds of Gigartina lanceata and, possibly, 
on other foliose species of the genus, occupying 
the spaces between the superficial lingulae, if 
present. Sublittoral along the shores of Stewart 
Island, the type locality. Common at midsum- 
mer. 
Type specimen No. 8132, Herbarium Lin- 
dauer; iso-types distributed in Lindauer ( 1947), 
Algae N ova-Zelandicae Exsiccatae, Fasc. XI, No. 
256. 
Durvillea willana sp. nov. 
Fig. 6 
Frondibus 5 m. vel ultra longis, fuscis, cori- 
aceis; disco scutato; stipite crasso, cylindrico, 1 
m. longo, planius et latius crescente in latam 
complanatam laminam in segmenta loris similia 
plus minusve alte divisam; stipite ferente multas 
proliferationes irregulariter positas in omnibus 
longitudinis partibus, proliferationibus singulis 
efformatis e stipite, lamina, segmentis axem 
principarium simulantibus, interdum in margine 
positis in superiore complanata parte stipitis 
primarii. 
Frond 5 m. or more long, dark brown, 
leathery, attachment a thick, scutate disc, stipe 
stout, cylindrical, 1 m. or more long, flattening 
and widening upwards into a broad complanate 
blade split more or less deeply into strap-like 
segments; stipe bearing many proliferations 
placed irregularly on all sides throughout its 
length, each consisting of a stalk, blade, and 
