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http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924000634182

THE FERNS AND FERN ALLIES

OF

NEW ZHALAND

ae

A. POLYPODIUM BILLARDIERI. B. LOMARIA FLUVIATILIS.
C. ASPLENIUM BULBIFERUM.

All one-fourth the natural size.

THE FERNS AND FERN ALLIES

OF

NEW ZEALAND

Gdith Instructions for their Collection and Hints on
thew Cultivation

BY

GEORGE M. THOMSON, F.L.S.

SCIENCE TEACHER IN THE DUNEDIN HIGH SCHOOLS

WITH FIVE PLATES

GEORGE ROBERTSON
MELBOURNE, SYDNEY, ADELAIDE, AND BRISBANE
Dunepin, N.Z.: HENRY WISE & CO., 108 Princes Srreer

MDCCCLEXXIL

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

PREFACE

CuapterR J.—THE STRUCTURE OF FERNS AND ALLIED
PLANTS

Carter II.—NOMENCLATURE AND PRINCIPLES OF CLASSI-

FICATION

Cuaprer II].—ENUMERATION AND SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION

Cuarter IV.—HINTS ON COLLECTING AND CULTIVATING...

GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS

GLOSSARY OF SPECIFIC NAMES

INDEX

PLATES.

110

119

123

PREFACE.

Tue demand for a compendious and handy description of the Ferns
of New Zealand has led to the publication of more than one little
work on the subject ; but from one cause or another these books have
rapidly passed out of print, so that the collector—desirous of
identifying the plants he obtains—is obliged to consult Hooker's
“ Handbook of the New Zealand Flora,” a work which is too general
in its outline for his purposes, and which is already somewhat out of
date. To satisfy this demand, the author has been led to prepare
this small manual, in the hope that it will meet the requirements of
the case and will prove to be longer-lived and of more lasting value
than its predecessors.

The usual demand in such a work is that it shall be written in a
“popular” style and in “popular” language—in other words, that
all technical terms shall be avoided in descriptions. Books of this
class are in the majority of cases unsatisfactory, usually lacking that
scientific accuracy which is the first requirement of such works, but
chiefly being defective in conciseness of description and exactness of
phraseology. They fail to satisfy those who want scientific descrip-
tions, and are not sufliciently explicit for those who have little
knowledge of the subjects treated of. A large technical vocabulary
has grown up round the literature of ferns, which it is impossible to
ignore altogether. No one can lay claim to a knowledge of these
plants without knowing something also of this terminology ; for it
is impossible to examine ferns without finding characters and points
of structure which our ordinary vocabulary fails to describe aptly.
There is hardly any pursuit or study which has not a terminology of
its own, and the student of ferns will find that there is such a
terminology in his branch, and that it has to be mastered before he
can make satisfactory progress in the identification of species. The
author has therefore deemed it advisable to write the descriptive

viii PREFACE.

part of the work in technical language, avoiding, however, all
unnecessary multiplication of terms; and at the same time—by a
clear introductory chapter on the structure of ferns and their allies,
and by the aid of a complete glossary—to enable the reader to
understand every term used. There is no serious difficulty in,
mastering these terms, as a little patient application will prove, and
there is no satisfactory way of avoiding their use without sacrificing
the scientific value of the descriptions. If any are afraid to enter
upon the study of our ferns because there are some apparently hard
names to be got over, we would advise such persons to turn their
attention to something else. If the subject is worth studying, no
one need grudge taking a little trouble about it.

In the preparation of this work, every available source of infor-
mation on the subject has been consulted. While differing on some
points from those whose labours he has availed himself of, the
author has to acknowledge the very valuable assistance which he
has received from various sources, and chiefly from the writings of
Messrs. Colenso, Kirk, Cheeseman, and Potts—botanists who have
done much to bring about the present well-advanced state of
scientific knowledge in this young country.

Dunepiy,
January, 1882.

THE FERNS AND FERN ALLIES OF
NEW ZEALAND.

CHAPTER I.
THE STRUCTURE OF FERNS AND ALLIED PLANTS.

Wuat isa Fern? The question is often asked, but it is not always
easily answered, at least in a manner satisfactory to the questioner.
It will not enlighten the majority of inquirers to say that—‘‘ A fern
is a vascular cryptogam, bearing well-developed leaves which have
usually simple or forked veins, are circinate in vernation, and bear
sporangia almost always collected into sori on their under-surfaces or
margins.” While, no doubt, perfectly true and quite satisfactory to
the botanist, this description might—as far as its general application
is concerned—be couched in Greek. It will be advisable, therefore,
to explain what the above definition means, and in doing so we
shall hope to give an explanation which will be comprehensible by
those who know nothing of botany.

The majority of our cultivated plants bear their organs of repro-
duction in tolerably conspicuous groups, which we call the flowers
and fruit. A single flower, like that of the strawberry, for example,
contains a large number—probably from 50 to 100—of these repro-
ductive organs, and they are called respectively the stamens (male
organs) and pistils (female organs). By the fertilizing action of the
former on the latter, the seeds are developed. When the other
parts of the flower have fulfilled their functions, the pistils continue
to increase in size, forming the fruit which we see when ripe as little
seed-like bodies (popularly known as the seeds) on the outside of the
succulent strawberry. These contain the true seeds, which, when
sown, give rise by direct growth to similar plants to the one which

produced them. All flowering plants are furnished with stamens
2

2 THE FERNS AND

and pistils ; and as these are generally visible to the naked eye, the
whole of this large class of plants is included under the general term
of Phanerogams (Gr. phaneros, evident), or plants with conspicuous
organs of reproduction.

But there is another still larger class of plants which have no
stamens and pistils, and whose reproductive organs are in many
cases so minute that the aid of the microscope is required to bring
them to our view. To this class belong Ferns and their allies,
Mosses, Mushrooms, Lichens, Seaweeds, and numberless allied forms,
and they bear the general name of Cryptogams (Gr. eryptos, concealed),
or plants with inconspicuous organs of reproduction. These plants
produce, in different parts of their structure, minute reproductive
organs termed generally spores. When we shake a dried fern-frond,
we frequently shake out a cloud of these in the form of a fine brown
dust. If the fresh spores of a fern are placed under suitable conditions
of moisture and warmth, they germinate and give rise to a cellular
growth, like a miniature seaweed, called a prothallus. This pro-
thallus—which, in the case of most ferns, is not more than 75th to
gith of an inch in diameter—is formed of several cells usually
arranged in a more or less plate-like manner. It is furnished with
root-hairs, but is without a distinct stem or leaves of any kind. On
this miniature and short-lived plant, true sexual organs are produced
which, after fertilization, give rise to a second plant—the true fern-
plant. All the plants allied to ferns have the same general mode of
reproduction, so that in this whole group we notice what is termed
an ‘alternation of generations.” ‘The first of these is asexual, the
spore giving rise to a prothallus ; the second is truly sexual, and
produces a fern-plant similar to that from which the original spore
was developed.

This alternation of generations is a primary distinction between
Ferns and Flowering Plants—because though probably it occurs in
the latter, still it is at such an early stage of the development of
the seed, that botanists have not succeeded in fully detecting it.

Again, from the lower orders of Flowerless Plants, Ferns and
their allies are distinguished by many characters which testify to
their much higher state of development. The most manifest
distinction is that of possessing woody tissue in their stems—this
being absent in all the other cryptogams.

FERN ALLIES OF NEW ZEALAND. 3

But really to understand fully the meaning of our first technical
definition, and to obtain a clear idea of the structure of the different
parts of ferns and note the application of the various terms applied
to them, we cannot do better than take a few growing specimens of
some common kinds and examine them in detail. We can then
compare them together and note the similarities and divergences of
their structure. I often hear the remark ‘‘I am very fond of ferns,
and like to gather and press them, but I don’t know anything about
them, you know, as to their names and that sort of thing.” If any-
body is really fond of ferns, such an one will not grudge a little
trouble to know something about them, and I can assure my readers
that any trouble taken for such an end will more than repay itself
in the increased zest and pleasure it will bring with it.

For the purpose of our first examination then we will take three
very familiar ferns, which anyone will be able to distinguish, and
which can be obtained in almost every part of New Zealand. These
are figured on the frontispiece, and are Polypodium billardieri (fig. A),
a common climber on trees; Lomaria fluviatilis (fig. B) and Asple-
nium bulbiferum (fig. C), the two latter being terrestrial ferns.

Let us examine the Polypodium first. The stem (fig. A 1)—known
as the rhizome, from its root-like appearance—is many feet in length,
and as thick as one’s little finger, and is covered with closely-pressed
brown scales. It bears at irregular intervals the leaf-like branches,
technically called fronds, but more commonly the leaves. The
stalk which forms their lower part (fig. A 2) is called the stipes,
while the continuation of it through the flat green lamina of the
frond (fig. A 3) is the midrib or costa, from which again veins and
veinlets branch. In the plate the arrangement of the veins cannot
be made out, but it is a very prominent feature in the fresh fronds.
The veins are seen to diverge from the midrib nearly at right angles,
then to branch into two, and these to branch again. In the spaces
between the main veins—termed the areoles—the fine veinlets are
seen to disappear in the texture of the frond. A representation of
this mode of branching is shown in Pl. IIT. fig. 7, where a portion of
one of the fronds of this fern has been drawn. The frond is either
all of one piece with continuous uncut margins (as in fig. A 3)
when it is simple, and its margin entire ; or it is more or less cut
into. Thus in fig, A 4, the blade is cut into numerous long narrow

4 THE FERNS AND

divisions or lobes, but as the cutting does not extend to the midrib,
the blade is still all of one piece and therefore simple. It is, how-
ever, said to be pinnately lobed, and the correct term to apply to it is
pinnatipartite. Had the incisions extended only about half-way from.
the extremity of the lobes to the midrib, the leaf would have been
termed pinnatifid. In describing the shape of such a frond, an
imaginary line is drawn round the tips of the lobes, so that the
general shape of the outline is given; in this case it might be
described as broadly elliptical-ovate. The frond A 3 is linear, as are-
the lobes of A 4, while the apices of both fronds are acuminate. At
the left side of the rhizome a small entire frond is figured, which is:
linear-oblong in shape with a sub-acute apex, while the very small
frond on the extreme right is also linear-oblong, but with an obtuse:
apex.

On the back of the mature fronds, and placed on the secondary
veins, are two rows of orange-brown spots, varying from +,th to tly
of an inch in diameter, commonly known as the seed, but called by
botanists the sori (sing. sorus). These sori are groups or collections
of the reproductive organs, and their presence on the back of a frond
is one of the chief points of difference between fronds and ordinary
foliage leaves, as the latter do not—in flowering plants at least—
bear these organs, If a single sorus is examined—and here the aid:
of a good magnifying lens will be needed—it is found to consist of a
number of minute oval bodies (the capsules or sporangia, see PI. I.
fig. 4a) joined by a short stalk to the frond. These capsules are-
nearly surrounded by a jointed ring or band (the annulus), which
passes vertically over them, and which, by its elasticity, serves to-
rupture them when mature. The bursting of each capsule liberates:
a number of minute rounded or triangular bodies—the spores—which
fly out as a fine dust. This dust is frequently spoken of as fern-seed,
but the term is quite incorrect, as a spore is not a seed, but is more:
comparable to a miscroscopic bud.

If we now take Lomaria fluviatilis (fig. B), we shall find the same
parts, but with very considerable diversity of form. Here the
rhizome (fig. B 2) is short and erect, being rendered thick by the bases
of old stipes which remain attached all round it, while the fronds
stand in a tuft from its upper end. Such a rhizome is often called
a rootstock ; and-though so different in length and appearance from

FERN ALLIES OF NEW ZEALAND. 5

that of the Polypodiwm, it is yet a similar organ, only very much
contracted. The fronds, also, are very different in appearance, and
are distinctly of two forms (hence called dimorphic) ; one of these
(fig. B 6) being the sterdle or barren fronds, and the other (fig. B 5)
being the fertile, or spore-bearing. The function of the barren
fronds being chiefly to aid in the nutrition of the plant, they are
tolerably large and well developed, while the sterile ones are reduced
to the smallest size compatible with the production of the numerous
Spore-capsules developed on them. Instead of having a single blade,
or lamina, on their short stipes, both forms have a number of separate
small blades or leaflets (the pinne) arranged along the midrib of
the frond, which is in this case called the rachis. This rachis is
not smooth and polished as is the stipes of the Polypodiwm, but is
clothed throughout with slender, pale-brown scales. The pinne,
which are either opposite or alternate with one another, approximate
together till at the very apex of the frond they are in close contact,
and their bases are said to be decwrrent, as they form a wing on the
rachis. A frond bearing such pinne is said to be pinnate, except at
the very top, where—the leaflets having become continuous—it is only
pinnatifid. The separate pinne in the right-hand frond are oblong
in shape, while the broadest of those on the left are broudly-elliptical ;
both have their margins minutely toothed. If we examine the
underside of one of these pinne, we notice a midrib having a few
scales on it, and from it a number of fine veins branch, each of which
divides almost at once into two equal and nearly parallel arms, like
the two branches of a tuning fork. This mode of branching in two’s,
whether it occurs in veins (Pl. IV. fig. 2) or in the branches
themselves (Pl. IV. fig. 1), is termed dichotomous. No traces of
sori are to be found on these pinne, and the frond is therefore
termed sterile. :

The other fronds of this same plant (fig. B 5) are very different
in appearance, owing to the pinne being extremely narrow, and to
their standing almost parallel with the rachis. On turning up the
underside of one of these pinne, it will be seen that the margins are
turned back very completely, and in the hollow thus formed the
capsules are crowded in a dense, continuous line. The recurved
edge of the frond thus forming a covering to the confluent sori is
termed the involucre or indusiwm. (An enlarged section of the

6 THE FERNS AND

sorus and its involucre, as it occurs in another species—viz., L.
banksii—is shown in Pl. II. fig. 86.) So closely do the recurved
margins of the pinne and their included capsules come to each other,
that all trace of the venation is hidden; but it is on the extremities
of the closely-approximating veins that the sori are placed. The
spore-capsules and their contained spores are so similar in general
appearance in the three ferns chosen, that we need not here refer to
them again.

Our third example, Asplenium bulbiferum (fig. C), differs from
both of the others in many points, and agrees in many others.
Owing to the great size of the specimen selected, only a portion of
the frond—which when complete was nearly 3 feet long—has been
represented on the frontispiece. The rhizome is short and thick as
in the Lomaria, and more or less scaly, while the fronds stand in a
tuft at its apex. In them there is not. the same separation into
sterile and fertile, but all are nearly similar, and when mature are
spore-bearing. And here we may note, that the young fronds of all
ferns have a very different mode of unfolding from ordinary foliage-
leaves. They are rolled up from the apex to the base in the form
of a crozier, and their vernation—i.e., the position occupied by them
while in bud—is said to be circinate.

The mature frond is furnished with a stipes and rachis (which
is often dark-coloured on its upper side), but this, instead of bearing
pinne, bears a secondary set of rachises, and these again a third.
In the upper parts of the frond, however, the secondary rachises
only bear leaflets. In such a frond, the secondary rachis and all
that it bears constitutes the pinna, the tertiary rachis and parts
form a pinnule, while the further subdivisions are the lobes or
segments. A frond with pinnules arranged along its secondary
rachises is 2-pinnate or bipimnate ; if its pinnules are again cut into
separate parts, it is 3- or tri-pinnate ; and if still further subdivided
it is decompound. It is often a matter of considerable difficulty
deciding what term ought to be applied in describing the extent to
which the division of the frond is carried, owing to the fronds
being cut almost to the rachises, but having these winged in many
cases with a portion of the lamina. Thus some ferns are said—
in the “Synopsis Filicum”—to be 2- or 3-pinnatifid, which are
described as 2- or 3-pinnate in some other works. The rule here

FERN ALLIES OF NEW ZEALAND. 7

ought to be that where the blade is distinctly interrupted into
separate pinnze or portions, the term pinnate, or 2- or 3-pinnate,
should be employed; but if the portions are united by continuations
of the lamina, the frond is still a simple one, and the term pin-
natifid should be adopted. It will still be found, however, that the
application of the rule is by no means easy, as many ferns are
pinnate below and pinnatifid above, and nothing but practice and
good observation will enable anyone to apply the correct terms.

The venation of our Asplenium is seen to be different from that
of both the others examined, the midrib which traverses each pinnule
sending out single unbranched veins alternately to each of the lobes
or to their ultimate segments. Along one side of each of these veins,
and placed obliquely to the midrib, is attached a slender, elongated,
pale-coloured membrane—the involucre—covering the linear sorus.
When the spores are mature, this ruptures along the side next the
margin of its segment, and discloses to view the sorus formed of a
dense line of closely-crowded capsules. Near the extremity of many
of the segments of this fern small swellings or outgrowths, bearing
a few very young leaves, may be noticed. These are the bulbis or
gemmee, from the presence of which the species received its second
name—bulbiferum, or bulb-bearing. Plants bearing such bulbils
are said to be proliferous. If these little growths, together with a
small portion of the frond to which they are attached, be removed
and planted in fine, damp soil, they will grow into new plants.

If we now seek to apply all the terms we have learned to other
ferns, we shall find that the same organs show many diversities of
structure besides those afforded by our three selected examples. We
shall consider the parts in the order already followed.

The rhizome in many species is very much elongated, creeping
underground in some, as in the common Bracken (Pteris aquilina),
or above-ground, as in one of our commonest Maidenhairs (Adiantum
affine). ‘In tree-ferns it is elongated into a more or less erect trunk
or caudex, the upper part of which is often clothed with the bases of
the stipes of old and withered fronds, while the lower portion is
usually thickened by root-fibres. Between the long creeping or
climbing rhizome of some species, and the stately trunks—often 20
to 40 feet high—of some of our handsomest tree-ferns, a nearly
continuous gradation may be noticed.

8 THE FERNS AND

The stipes varies in different species chiefly in its relative length
and thickness, and in the presence or absence of scales and other
appendages.

But it is in the fronds that the most conspicuous distinctions are
to be found, in their size, form and texture. They vary from not
more than about half-an-inch in length (as in Hymenophyllum
cheesemaniz) to as much as 20 feet in the giant Mamuka (Cyathea
medullaris). Some are quite simple in form, while others are cut
into innumerable little segments. In many Hymenophyllums
(filmy-ferns) the texture is more delicate than tissue-paper, and
the tissues are formed of a single series or layer of cells; while
in Polypodiwm serpens the consistence is that of leather. The
surface is also very variable; being glossy and quite destitute
of hairs (glabrous) in many species, or in others variously clothed
with hairs or scales of extremely different lengths, coarseness and
abundance.

Among the most characteristic features in ferns are the shape and
position on the frond of the sorus or collection of capsules, and the
presence or absence of its énvolucre or covering membrane. We
have already seen that they are sometimes round and placed on the
back of the frond, or linear and close to the margin, or are ina
continuous line round the margin. In the Polypodiwms they are
naked, having no covering of any kind, while in Lomaria and
Aspleniwm they are seen to be furnished with some sort of an
involucre or indusium. The structure of this covering is very
various, but we can only consider it as it exists in a few genera.
(For its many modifications, the reader must be referred to Chap.
III.) In some cases, as in the Aspidiwms, or Shield-ferns, the
involucre is a small circular disc fastened by the centre of its under
surface to the middle of the sorus (Plate ITI. fig. 3a), and it is from
this shield-like mode of attachment that both the scientific and
common names of these ferns are derived, In the allied genus
Nephrodiwm the involucre is kidney-shaped, but otherwise similar.
In these, and in Aspleniwm, the involucre is a specially-developed
structure of the epidermis of the frond. In Hymenophyllum and its
allied genera it appears to be an outgrowth of the tissue of the
frond itself. In them the veins are produced beyond the margins of
the frond, and the capsules are clustered near their extremity, and

FERN ALLIES OF NEW ZEALAND. 9

covered by a 2-valved involucre, the lips of which open outwards
(Pl. I. fig. 76). This prolongation of the veins is termed the
receptacle ; in the true filmy-ferns it occasionally protrudes beyond
the lips of the involucre, when it is said to be exserted. In Loxsoma
(Pl. I. fig. 6a) and in Trichomanes (PI. I. fig. 8a) this receptacle is
usually very considerably exserted, and the involucre is still further
modified into a long narrow tube or cup.

In Adiantum (Maidenhair) (Pl. IT. fig. 3), Hypolepis (Pl. II. fig.
4), Lomaria, and many other genera, the involucre is often termed a
false one, being the result simply of the margin of the frond being
turned or rolled back over the sorus. One of the most anomalous
forms is to be found in Marattia, in which the capsules are united
into boat-shaped groups, called Synangia (Pl. IV. fig. 2a), Until
the development of these peculiar sori has been fully investigated,
we cannot decide how they are formed nor what relation they hold
to the sori of other families of ferns. So different are they in
structure and development that Sachs considers that the whole
family to which this genus belongs should be removed from the true
ferns, and classed, together with the Ophioglossacee and Equisetacez
(horse-tails), in a separate group or order by themselves.

The only other point we need to note here in regard to the
external form of ferns is the shape and structure of the capsule
(sporangiwm) itself, and the position of the ring. The former is
formed of a single layer of cells arising from the outer skin or
epidermis of the frond, and the ring isa layer of the same group of
cells somewhat modified in form. The capsules vary in form, some
being globular (G@leichenia, Pl. I. fig. la), others pear-shaped (Poly-
podium, &e.) ; but it is the position of the ring which is the most
marked feature in them. This constitutes, in fact, the most distinc-
tive character by which the tribes of ferns are separated from one
another ; but as it is detailed in full in Chap. IIL, it is not necessary
to go into much explanation of ithere. Itis worth noting, how-
ever, that when the annulus is transverse (as in Gleichenia) or
oblique (Cyathea), or when it forms a cap on the top (Schizea), then
the opening or dehiscence of the capsule is necessarily longitudinal ;
while, if the ring is vertical, passing over the top of the capsule, the
dehiscence is transverse. This is found in all the tribe of the Poly-
podiacez, to which by far the largest number of our ferns belong.

10 THE FERNS AND

In many ferns, minute jointed hairs, called paraphyses, occur among
the capsules.

I have said nothing in this chapter of the general structure of the
fern allies, because to do so would occupy too much space in a work
which is chiefly devoted to ferns. But in the following chapter I
have shortly described the most characteristic features of their orders,
while in Chap. ITI. all the species to be found in New Zealand are
treated of in detail.

FERN ALLIES OF NEW ZEALAND. 1k

CHAPTER II.
NOMENCLATURE AND PRINCIPLES OF CLASSIFICATION.

Aut plants, when scientifically described, have two names given to
them ; the first of these is the generic name, or that of the genus to
which the plant belongs; the second is the specific name, or that of
the particular species of plant. This binomial nomenclature—or
giving of double names to plants—was one of the many revolutionary
changes in the march. of scientific progress which we owe to the
celebrated Swedish naturalist Linneus.

The generic names (of ferns at any rate) are usually derived from
the Greek ; and, in giving such names, botanists have often been
guided by very fanciful considerations. The name most commonly
used among the genera of ferns is Pteris (Gr. pteron, a wing), origin-
ally given by Linnzus to the common Bracken. This being one of
the commonest of ferns, the name has come to be used very
frequently as synonymous with the name fern. Besides the genus.
Pieris itself, we have, however, only one New Zealand genus into
whose name this term enters, viz., C'ystopteris or Bladder-ferns.

The specific name is commonly of Latin origin, and is often
expressive of some characteristic feature of the plant (e.g., hirsutum),
or of its habit (scandens), or of the locality where it occurs (¢un-
bridgense), or it may be given in honour of some botanist or collector
—usually the first discoverer of the plant (cunninghamit). It is usual
to commence the generic name with a capital letter, and the specific
name with a small letter, even when it is derived from a proper
name.

Frequently the same fern has been found in different countries,
and named by different botanists, whose descriptions may have been
published in any one of the numerous British or foreign publications
brought out so abundantly during late years ; and thus it comes to
have two or more names. Or the same botanist may have obtained
two or three varying forms of the same plant; these he describes
under different names as being distinct species, and then someone

12 THE FERNS AND

else, examining these species, comes to the conclusion that after all
they are only varieties, and he accordingly disallows all the names
but the first. As we shall see further on, there is great confusion
in the minds of many botanists as to what a species is, and hardly
any two can agree as to where the line between species and varieties
is to be drawn. Many very celebrated botanists are in favour of
reducing the number of species by widening their limits, while others
look upon comparatively slight variations as of specific importance.
In this last category the majority of cultivators and collectors of
ferns, and horticulturists generally, must be included. One result of
this difference of opinion is that some favourite kinds of plants have
had so many names given to them that systematic botanists have
great difficulty in clearing up the confusion: which exists. Ferns
have probably suffered more in this respect than any other plants,
owing to their having been so long collected and cultivated, and
also to the wide geographical range of many of the species. The
rule for settling this difficulty is a simple one, the first name
given being entitled to priority, and being distinguished by having
appended to it the name—or a portion of the name—of the botanist
who described it; for example, Pteris aquilina, Z., informs us that
Linneus was the author of the name. Any later name given to
this fern ranks only as a synonym. The application is by no means
so simple as the rule itself, and often, in spite of great care, extreme
confusion has crept into the nomenclature of ferns, to remain until
someone has had the courage to face the difficulty, and reduce
the chaos to something like order. The work which has done
more than any other to effect this is probably the ‘‘ Synopsis
Filicum” of the late Sir W. Hooker and Mr. J. G. Baker, of Kew.
In New Zealand, we are indebted to Mr. Kirk for some valuable
work of the same kind.

Frequently a fern is described as belonging to a certain genus,
and it is afterwards found that it should have been included in
another. In this case the specific name first given remains, although
the generic name is changed to the correct one. Thus Sir W.
Hooker described a certain fern, and named it after the discoverer,
Trichomanes malingit. Onexamination of more specimens it was
found that the plant was a true Hymenophyllwm, and hence it is
now called H. malingi.

FERN ALLIES OF NEW ZEALAND. 13:

Some persons profess to have a great aversion to the scientific
names of plants, and say—“‘ Why do you not give simple English
names that we could understand, instead of the unpronounceable
names you employ ?” The remark is expressive only of ignorance or
indolence. Anyone who has taken the trouble to study the subject
at all knows that it would be next to impossible to devise a system
of English names which woyld be at all suitable. Ifany are desirous
of undertaking such a work, I would recommend them to try their
hand, say, to begin with, on the Australian gum trees (belonging to
the genus Lucalyptus, of which the “ Flora Australiensis” enumerates
135 species), or on the Wattles (genus Acacia, of which 293 species.
are described in the same work). But in reality there is, after all,
no such difficulty, especially when we consider how many purely
technical names of plants have come to be used familiarly, even by
the most unlettered. It will suffice just to mention, inter alia,
Anemone, Ranunculus, Gladiolus, Dahlia, Chrysanthemum, Fuchsia,
and Geranium, not one of which is an English name.

To turn now to the principles on which the classification of our
ferns is conducted. Formerly, in arranging plants, special points of
structure were selected as characteristic of the various classes, groups,
and divisions, and by these arbitrarily-selected characters all plants.
were classified. Any such system of classification—which fixes.
on one or more distinctive features and ignores all the rest—
is termed an artificial system, and the most celebrated is that of
Linneus, called after him the Linnean system. This not only
superseded all those which had been in use before it, but remained
the only system in general use till very lately. As regards ferns.
and other flowerless plants, this system had very little application, as
it dealt chiefly with flowering plants.

If, however, instead of taking a single character, or even a group
of characters, as the basis of classification, we examine into the whole
life history of our plants, and unite them by their apparent relation-
ships into species, genera, families, &c., we shall have constructed a
natural system of classification. Since the publication of Darwin’s
“ Origin of Species,” and the immense impetus given to all biological
research by that “letting in of light,” it has become more possible
every day to attain to a natural classification of plants on a genealogical
basis. This desirable consummation is still a long way off, however,

14 THE FERNS AND

and, in ferns particularly, many classifiers—chiefly those of the old
school—adhere to purely artificial distinctions. These are very
useful in drawing up keys to enable a particular fern to be easily
recognized, but should not form the basis of our system.

Suppose we are collecting ferns in the damp forest of one of our
West Coast sounds, we find the ground covered with a luxuriant
-growth of kidney-fern (Zrichomanes reniforme), and, on examination
of a great number of specimens, we agree that they are all so similar
‘that they must be of one and the same kind. Some have large
fronds, others small; some are on tall stipes, others on short ones ;
‘some are nearly black, and have their margins fringed with sori,
while others are of a delicate green colour, and are quite smooth on
the edge; yet, despite these and other differences, we have no doubt
‘that the spores of these ferns will only produce other kidney-ferns.
Further, were we to come across exactly similar ferns—varying to
the same extent—near Auckland, we should be justified in asserting
that they were of the same kind as those from the West Coast of the
South Island. Now, the whole assemblage of these kidney-ferns,
wherever we may find them, constitutes what we term a species, and
we give it two names in accordance with the rule already explained.
‘We should, further, be justified in assuming that if we could trace
back these ferns for an indefinite number of generations, we should at
last find that they were all descended from one parent plant which
grew at a very remote period either in New Zealand or in some
portion of the now submerged land which at one time probably
formed a connection between New Zealand and Australia, or some of
the outlying islands to the north of this colony.

From these considerations, we may define a@ species as an assem-
blage of individuals agreeing so closely that they may be considered
‘to have all descended directly from a common ancestral form. But
it is conceivable, that, owing to causes which we are not able to
fathom fully, a kidney-fern might be produced differing slightly but
persistently from its immediate parent plant, and this difference
might be perpetuated and perhaps intensified in succeeding genera-
tions. In course of time the differences or variations thus induced
might be so perceptible and constant as to justify us in calling the
plant @ variety, and after a still further lapse of time—if the
conditions which caused the first variation continued to act, or if

FERN ALLIES OF NEW ZEALAND. 15

other conditions were superadded—the change at last might be so
marked as to entitle the modified plants to rank as a distinct species.
Now, though this is no doubt the correct idea of the term “ species,”
it is not by any means always an easy thing to make application of
the principle. It is simple enough in the case of such a distinct and
well-characterized plant as the kidney-fern, and we can draw up a
specific description of these ferns, as they are found in the bush of
the West Coast sounds, which will apply equally well to those
gathered in the Auckland district.

But now let us go into the bush again, and gather a plant of
Asplenium bulbiferum. Were we to describe its form, it would be
found that the description would not apply very closely to another
plant, perhaps from the same part of the bush, which yet was near
it in most of its features. The first-gathered plant might look at
first sight a very different plant from the second, but if we were to
collect a very large series of somewhat similar plants, and were to
find (as we probably should in the example selected) that though the
two most diverse of those chosen had very considerable differences
of external form, yet that a complete gradation could be traced
through the intermediates, we would still be justified in assuming
that all were but forms of one very variable species. It is exactly
on this point that so many botanists differ in opinion, and it becomes
to a great extent a matter of individual judgment to decide what
rank is to be assigned to the variation of plants. If I have erred in
this respect, it will be found to be in the direction of increasing the
limits of the respective species so as to include doubtful and varietal
forms, rather than in multiplying unnecessarily the number of
species already defined.

“When several species resemble each other so distinctly that
their general appearance indicates a relationship, they are grouped
together in a genus” (Prantl). But this is seen to be as arbitrary a
definition as that of a species, and consequently it happens that
botanists disagree very much as to the limits of various genera.
Sir W. Hooker and Mr. Baker in the “Synopsis Filicum” give a
wide range to the genera, while Mr. J. Smith—author of the
“ Historia Filicum,” and a great authority on Ferns—subdivides
the genera to a very great extent. In this respect, again, it will be
found that very artificial limitations are frequently put upon the

16 THE FERNS AND

genera, and particularly by those who may be termed horticultural
botanists, who are apt to look upon external characters as of para-
mount importance, and who ignore the natural relationships which
ought to underlie every rational classification.

Groups of genera agreeing in the general arrangement of their
organs of fructification are united together into Tribes, and these
again into Orders. These are further united into Groups, Cohorts,
or Classes, which are still larger and more comprehensive assemblages.
Even in the construction of these larger assemblages, botanists
exercise very much their individual judgment, but there is of
course a continually increasing consensus of opinion as new discoveries
are made, and the general stock of knowledge thus increased.

The classification I have adopted in this work is founded on that
used in Le Maout and Decaisne’s ‘Systematic Botany,” but the
subdivision of the genera of the Ferns is more in accordance with
that of the “Synopsis Filicum.”

The plants treated of here belong to the great group of flowerless
plants known as Vascular Cryptogams ; that is to say, they differ
from all other flowerless plants such as Mosses, Fungi, Lichens,
Seaweeds, c&c., by having woody vessels (or—more correctly—closed
fibro-vascular bundles) in their stems, and by possessing true roots.
In their growth they all exhibit an alternation of a sexual with an
asexual generation, the plant produced from the spore (the prothallus)
being small and short-lived, and bearing true sexual organs. From
the mutual interaction of these, a second plant is produced, which
bears a distinct stem and leaves, grows usually for several years and
produces a constant succession of spores.

Six orders of these Vascular Cryptogams are represented in New
Zealand, and their most distinctive characters are here given in
detail, their further subdivisions being specified in Chap. III.

Order I.—Filices (or Ferns). The distinctive characters of the true
ferns are well marked, so that there is not much difficulty in recog-
nizing them. The leaves or fronds are usually well developed,
and expand in a circinate manner, being coiled up when young in
the form of a crozier; they bear the spores either on their
under-surface or on their edge. The sporangia or spore-capsules
are collected into groups called sori, which are placed in certain
relations to the veins, and are differently formed and situated in

FERN ALLIES OF NEW ZEALAND, 17

different tribes. These capsules are usually oblong or orbicular,
and furnished with a short stalk; while over them commonly
passes a more or less complete ring or annulus (Pl. I. fig. 4a), which
by its elasticity serves to rupture the capsule and liberate its
contents. There is only one kind of spore. New Zealand contains
29 genera, including 124 species—a large number compared with
Britain, which only has (according to Sir J. Hooker) 13 genera and
37 species.

Ferns are divided into eight tribes, of which seven are represented
in New Zealand. Their characters will be found in the next chapter.

Order IJ.—Ophioglossacee is a small group, often included
among true ferns, but differing from them in some important respects.
The short subterranean rhizome sends up only one leaf, or at the
most two or three, and these are not rolled up in the circinate manner
characteristic of ferns. They take, also, a very long time to develop,
those of Botrychium being four years of coming to maturity, of
which three are spent underground. The spore-capsules are not
collected into sori, but are arranged either in a spike or raceme-like
cluster on a special fertile frond. They have no ring, and contain
smooth triangular spores. Lastly, their prothallus, produced from
one of these spores, is not a flat layer of cells, but a subterranean
mass of cellular tissue, destitute of green colouring matter. Only
three species belonging to this order occur in New Zealand.

Order IIT.—Marsileaces. All the plants of this order are aquatic
or marsh-dwellers, and their fronds expand in a circinate manner
like those of ferns. At the base of the fronds and near their creeping
rhizome the organs of fructification are found. These organs are
really formed from modified infolded leaves, and in our plant
(Pilularia) are small oblong capsule-like bodies (the sporocarps),
borne on short stalks and opening by 2 (or 4) valves. If cut
transversely, these capsules are found to be 4-celled, or divided into
4 cavities, each cavity containing a number of oval or egg-shaped
bodies. Those near the bottom of each cavity are termed macro-
sporangia, because each contains only one large spore, the macrospore.
Those in the upper half of the capsule are microsporangia, and
contain each from 20 to 30 most minute granules—the microspores.
The latter are the male reproductive organs, while from the
macrospore the prothallus is developed.

18 THE FERNS AND

Only one plant belonging to the order has hitherto been found in
the colony.

Order IV.—Salvinieex. This is another order of aquatic plants,
which is represented in New Zealand by a very common and
extremely pretty little plant of the genus Azolla. In many parts of
the colony it covers the water of lagoons and ditches with a green or
reddish mantle, thus resembling the common duckweed. It floats on
the surface of the water, and sends down numerous roots, which do
not, however, attach themselves to the soil at the bottom. As in
the last order (with which some botanists unite this), the reproductive
organs are inserted near the base of the fronds. They are, however,
different in structure, being only 1-celled, and containing one kind of
sporangia arranged along a central column which stands up in the
middle of the sporocarp. Thus one sporocarp contains macro-
sporangia only, in each of which is one macrospore. Other sporo-
carps contain only wicrosporangia, each containing a number of
microspores. The prothallus is developed from the former.

Order V.—Lycopodiacez (Club Mosses). These are distinguished
from ferns and other allied plants by many characteristic features.
They are all terrestrial, are furnished with dichotomously branching
roots (except Psilotwm, which has no true roots, and Phylloglossum,
in which they are tuberous), and develop their branches very
irregularly. The leaves are always small and 1-nerved, and in very
many species are decurrent on the stems. The reproductive organs
are contained in capsules or sporangia, which are usually solitary in
the axils of particular leaves, but sometimes these fertile leaves are
so crowded or imbricated together as to form the fructification into
spikes. These sporangia are l-celled (Lycopodium), 2-celled (T'mesip-
teris), or 3-celled (Psilotwm), but contain only one kind of spores.

The process of development from the spore has been imperfectly
observed in one species of Lycopodiwm only, and with this exception
it may be said that there is no information on the subject as far as
our New Zealand genera are concerned. Probably most botanists
have at one time or another tried to become famous by studying the
development of this order, but no one has succeeded up to the
present in throwing light on the matter, so that there is still a
magnificent field of research open in this direction to any enterprising

student.

FERN ALLIES OF NEW ZEALAND. 19

There are 4 genera and 14 species of the order in these islands.

Order VI.—Isoétex. This is a small order, consisting of a single
genus (Jsoétes), which is included among Lycopods by many
botanists. Though nearly allied to them, it has some very distinctive
characters, which mark it at once. Most of the plants forming it
are aquatic and submerged, living at the bottom of pools and
lakes; a few are terrestrial. The leaves or fronds are grass-like, and
have a well-developed sheath. This is hollowed out at the base into
a pouch, which is surrounded by a narrow border, and has a scale or
ligule above it. The pouch encloses a membranous sac, the
sporangium, which is divided by transverse partitions into several
compartments. All the sporangia appear externally similar, but
those of the outer leaves are macro-sporangia, containing from 40 to
200 macrospores, while those of the inner leaves are micro-sporangia,
and contain a vast number (probably over a million) of flour-like
microspores. The prothallus develops from the former, while it is
still ripening.

Two species of [soétes have been found in our lakes,

The only remaining group of the Vascular Cryptogams not yet
mentioned is that of the Hqwisetacece or Horse-tails. These plants
are tolerably familiar to all who have collected botanical specimens
in England, but are not found at all in New Zealand ; in fact, they
are absent throughout nearly the whole of the Southern hemisphere.

90 THE FERNS AND

CHAPTER III.

ENUMERATION AND SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF FERNS AND
FERN ALLIES.

EVERYONE desirous of acquiring ‘a correct knowledge of these
interesting and beautiful plants should work out the ordinal and
tribal characters, as well as those of the genera and species; but
to do this satisfactorily requires the use of a good pocket lens, or,
still better, of a simple dissecting microscope. Pocket lenses of all
kinds are to be had, and at all prices, from one shilling to
thirty ; for the maximum amount of satisfaction I would recom-
mend Browning’s* platyscopic lenses (medium size). They are more
expensive than ordinary glasses, but they possess the great advantage:
of bringing the objects out on a flat field instead of distorting them,
as so many of the higher power lenses do. They can be carried in
the waistcoat pocket attached to a thin silk or other cord, as from
their small size they are apt to be lost when one is out scrambling
after ferns. For examination of these plants at home, there is
nothing equal to a dissecting microscope, and they can be had of
very various make and price. Thus Mr. Browning advertises a
cheap and useful instrument, “The Houston Microscope,” furnished
with three glasses and a pair of forceps, all for the modest sum of
6s. 6d. An excellent instrument is Swift’s,* “Convenient Dissect-
ing Microscope,” with a circular glass top, and costing £2. Of
more expensive instruments suitable for every description of
dissecting work, I would instance Beck’s* (price £5 10s., without
accessory apparatus), and Swift’s portable (price £6 10s.), the last
a most convenient instrument for the traveller. But there are
numerous other makers who turn out most excellent instruments. 1
consider the best dissecting tools to be 3-cornered needles, but as these-
cannot readily be obtained in the colonies, I employ short but stout
ordinary needles, ground flat on two sides and fastened into short

* Messrs, James Swift and Sons, 43 University-street, London, W.C. +
Messrs. R. and J. Beck, 31 Cornhill, E.C. ; Mr. J. Browning, 63 Strand, W.C.

FERN ALLIES OF NEW ZEALAND. 21

cedar-wood handles, about as thick as a penholder, and 3 or 4 inches
long. Special needle-holders made of bone or ivory may be
‘purchased from all microscope makers, but the simpler instrument
will be found a very satisfactory substitute. A pair of good strong
forceps completes the requisite apparatus. In examining a portion
of a frond in the dissecting microscope, the piece should be placed
on the slide of the glass table of the instrument in a drop of water ;
practise will enable the student to judge the exact amount of water
required. Holding the fragment down with the left-hand needle,
parts may be cut off, removed or turned in any direction with
that in the right hand, the lens being focussed down to the right
distance,

Orver L—FILICES (True Ferns).

THE arrangement of the genera adopted here is that of the
“Synopsis Filicum,” but the plants constituting the sub-order
Ophioglossacez have been removed from among the true ferns and
placed in a distinct order by themselves.

Tribe I.—Gleicheniaces. Capsules solitary or grouped into small
sort of a definite nwmber (2-6), sessile, globose, completely girt by a
broad, transverse or oblique ring, and opening vertically. No in-
volucre. (Pl. I. fig. 1.)

Rhizome creeping. Fronds rigid, coria-
ceous, mostly dichotomously branched ;
segments of the pinne small and
round, or elongated and comblike ... 1. Gleichenia.

Tribe II.—Cyatheacee. Sori globose, dorsal, formed of numerous
capsules ; these are either sessile or stalked on a somewhat elevated
receptacle, and are often mixed with jointed hairs. They are obovate
in form and somewhat compressed, and are furnished with a broad
vertical or oblique ring. (Lhe tree-ferns belong to this tribe.) Pl. I.
figs. 2-5.

L—Sori at or near the forking of a vein.

Involucre globose and at first covering the
whole sorus, afterwards breaking ir-
regularly at the summit and leaving a
cup with smooth or torn edges; large
tree-ferns ...0 2.0 1.0 we see a. 2. Cyathea,

Involucre a scale (often indistinct) on the
underside of the sorus; a large tree-
Form sie ane ss sees ee eee 63. Hemitelia.

Involucre wanting; a small tree-fern ... 4, Alsophila.

22 1.—-FILICES.

II.— Sort at the apex of a vein, just within the margin.
Involucre a 2-valved cup ; large tree-ferns 5. Dicksonia.

Tribe III.—Hymenophyllacer. Sori on the extremity of a vein, and
hence on the margins or apices of the frond or its segments. Capsule
sessile, rounded or pear-shaped, attached usually by the centre to a
Siliform receptacle, which is often exserted ; ring oblique or transverse
completely surrounding the capsule, which therefore dehisces longi-
tudinally ; involucre 2-valved, or tubular. Most ferns of this tribe
are small, and of a very thin, semi-transparent consistence, and many
are epiphytes. (Pl. I. figs. 6-8.)

Involucre tubular; mouth entire, con-
tracted; capsules with a short,
incomplete ring. Fronds coriaceous,

opaque... ... . 6. Loxsoma.
Involucres Dipped or ovalwed, Fronds

thinly membranous... .. .. 7, Hymenophyl-
Involucre 2-lipped; mouth more or less lum.

2-lipped ; receptacle often considerably
exseried. Fronds usually membranous 8. Trichomanes.

Tribe IV.—Polypodiacee. Sori on the margins or back of the frond,
with or without an involucre, and destitute of a raised or elongated
receptacle. Capsules all stalked, Furnished with an incomplete vertical
ring, and bursting transversely. This is by far the largest family of
ferns, and is divided into numerous groups.

Section I.—Sorus with an involucre.

Family I.—Davalliex. Sort covered with a reniform or orbicular
scale-like involucre, which is always open at its apex. (PI. I. fig. 9 ;
and Pl. II. fig. 1.)

Involucre at the tip of a vein or segment,

attached by its base and sides .. 9. Davallia.
Involucre in the middle of a vein, at-

tached by its broad base only ... 10. Cystopteris.

Family I].—Lindsayer. Sori in a line near the edge of the frond.
Inwolucre opening outwards, the inner
valve beng membranous, the outer
Sormed of the margin of the me
(PI. II. fig. 2.)...00 0. oa LI, Lindsaya.

Family I1I.—Pteridex. Sori oblong or linear, on the margins ;
involucres opening inwards, of the same shape as the sori, and formed
of the more or less recurved margin of the frond. (PI. II. figs. 3-8.)

Sori oblong or reniform ; involucre of a
different texture from the rest of the
frond. Segrients of the frond usually:
lsided wn 0... ew) 612. Adiantum.

1.—FILICES. 23

Sori globose, placed in the sinuses of the
frond and covered by a pseudo-
involucre formed of the green in-
curved (but unchanged) tip of the
segments of the frond. Fronds .
usually 6 in. to 3 ft. high ... .... 13. Hypolepis.

Sori on the veins, at or near the tip, at
first globose but afterwards continu-
ous round the margins, which are
reflexed over them. Fronds esse
under Gin. ... ... .. ... 4. 14 Cheilanthes.

Sori in a continuous line within the

margin ; involucre opening inwards,

at length recurved and exposing the

sori. Fronds pinnate ... ... ... 15. Pellea.
Sori continuous, marginal; involucre

membranous, recurved. Fronds 2-

or 3-pinnate ... 0... . 16. Pteris.
Fertile and barren fronds disiatlan Sori

linear, continuous, parallel with the

midrib and filling the segment; in-

volucre formed of the revolute mem-

branous margin... ... ... «.. 17. Lomaria.

Family IV.—Blechnex. Sori oblong or linear, on the back of the
Jrond, parallel with and distant from the margin of the segments.
Inwolucre of the same shape as the sorus, opening towards the midrib.
(Pl. II. fig. 9.)

Sori on veins which form arches between
the midrib and margins of the seg-
ments... wwe ee eee ee wee = 18. Dodi.

Family V.—Aspleniex. Sori linear (or oblong), attached to the
veins, and placed obliquely to the midrib.
Involucre membranous, fastened on one side

to the vein, opening along the outer
edge (Pl. III. figs. 1 and 2.) ... 19. Asplenium.

Family VI.—Aspidiee. Sori globose, on the back of the frond.
Involucre globose or reniform, attached by a point at the centre or
sinus. (Pl. III. figs. 3-5.)

Involucre orbicular, fixed by the centre 20. Aspidium.
Involucre cordate-reniform, fixed by the

sinus. Fronds aroican or very com-

pound... .... se ove ee) 21. Nephrodium.
Involucre reniform, opening outwards,

and attached by a broad base.

Fronds pinnate tes ase use ee 22. Nephrolepis.

24 1,—FILICES. [G@leichenia

Section II.—Sorus naked.

Family VII—Polypodiex. Sori on the
back of the frond rounded or rarely
oblong, never more than twice as long

as broad (Pl. III. figs. 6-7.) ... 23, Polypodium.

Family VIII.—Grammitidere. Sori on the back of the frond
usually linear, always more than twice as long as broad. (Pl. III.
figs, 8-9.)

Sori continuous within the margin of the

frond, which is often partially re-

curved over them as a sae

UCHO Sa. ead) gies), wy . 24, Nothochlena.
Sori on the veins, . -epreading over the

under surface of the frond in simple

or branched lines ... ... ... ... 25, Gymnogramme.

Tribe V.—Osmundez.

Capsules large, vertically 2-valved, fur-

nished with a short transverse ring,

not forming regular sori, but clus-

tered irregularly on the back of the

frond (PI. III. fig. 10.)... ... ... 26. Todea,

Tribe VI.—Schizeaces. Capsules 2-valved, opening down the
side, crowned by a complete ring on the apex like a cap, arranged in
spikelets. (Pl. IIT. fig. 11, and Pl. IV. fig. 1.)

Capsules sessile in 2 rows on one side of

close spikes, which are pinnately- e

arranged at the apex of the fronds... 27. Schizea.
Capsules solitary in the axils of scales

which form spikes, either on separate

pinne or on the margins of the leafy

ones. Stems widely-climbing .. 28. Lygodium.

Tribe VII.—Marattiacee. Capsules 6-12, united together into a
boat-shaped sorus or synangium, which is placed near the end of a
vein on the back of the frond. (Pl. IV. fig. 2.)

Fronds very large, arprainate ses eee nee =29. Marattia.
“afrcan Urtafr* Wrtaléor 9 Ke Sard phetol
Genus I.—GLEICHENTA,* ca (PI. I. fig. 1.)

Rhizome creeping, wiry and rigid. Fronds usually dichotomously
branched, with a terminal bud at each fork; branches forked or
pinnate, sometimes whorled. inne deeply pinnatifid; segments
small, concave and suborbicular, or pectinate with elongated lobes.
Sori of 2-4 or 10- 12, sessile capsules opening vertically, and girt by
a broad, transverse, complete ring.

* In honour of Baron von Gleichen, a German botanist.

Gleichenia] 1.— FILICES. 25

I.—Lobes of the pinne small, suborbicular. Sori solitary on the
tip of the veinlets.

Lobes of the pinne flat or recurved.

Sori exposed ... ... ... IL. G. circinata.
Lobes of the pinne pou like, con-
cealing the sori... ... 2, G, dicarpa.

II.—Lobes of the pinne linear. Sori on the middle or forks
of the veinlets.

Lobes of the pinne serrulate, not glaucous

below ww, ee wee eee 8G. flabellata,
Lobes of the pinne entire, glaucous
below ww. kee eee ee eee)| A) G. cunninghamii.

III.—Stipes zigzag, repeatedly di- or tri-chotomous. Base of the
forked branches with a pair of accessory pinnee
5. G. dichotoma.

1. G. circinata, Swartz. (Pl. I. figs. 1-3.)

Fronds 1-3 ft. high ; stipes and rachis glabrous or more or less
chaffy, hairy or scaly ; branches very narrow, 6-12 in. long, forked
and pinnate. Pinne 1-2 in. long, very narrow; lobes ovate or
semicircular, flat or recurved, green or glaucous beneath. Capsules
3-4, superficial.

Synonyms.—G. microphylla, Br.; G. spelunce, Br; G.
semivestita, Lab.; G. rupestris, Br.

Distribution (outside New Zealand).—Tasmania, een ai
New Caledonia, Malacca and part of Polynesia. Cheha

This fern occurs abundantly throughout the northern part of the“
North Island, from N. Cape southwards, but, becomes more local in
the southern part. It is often found on newly-cleared ground. In
the S. Island it is not so common, occurring sparingly along the line
of the Southern Alps, Westland, Banks’ Peninsula, along the E. of
Otago, and both sides of Foveaux Straits. Also on the Chatham
Islands. It is to be found (like the other N.Z. species of the genus)
in rather poor, cold soil, either in open land or among low scrub, but
never in dense bush.

All the Gleichenias are rather difficult to cultivate: this species
thrives best in a mixture of loam, peat and sand, with plenty of
water and good drainage.

2. G. dicarpa, Br. /aranhe ae

Fronds erect, 3 in.-3 ft. high ; stipes more or less woolly with
brown pubescence, especially at the nodes; branches 2-12 in. long.
Pinne 4-2 in. long, narrow ; lobes round, pouch-like, coriaceous.

26 1,—FILICES. [Gleichemia

Capsules about 2, concealed within the lobes, and mixed with brown
paleaceous hairs.

Var. B. alpina. Smaller and more tufted ; usually more densely
pubescent.

Synonyms.—G. alpina, Br.; G. vulcanica, Blume; G. hecisto-
phylla, A. Cunn, (In the “ Handbook to the N.Z. FI.” this var. is
referred to G. circinata.)

© Distribution—Mountainous parts of Australia and Tasmania,
New Caledonia, and some islands of the Malay Archipelago.

In N.Z. the range of this species is more restricted than the
former, as it does not seem to have been collected N. of Auckland.
It is tolerably common on the high lands surrounding L. Taupo,
and from Hawke’s Bay across to Taranaki, as well as at the Hot
Spring district in the N., and throughout the Wellington Provincial
district. In the 8. Island both forms occur from Cook Straits
to Stewart Island, but always locally. Also on the Chatham
Islands.

Rather easier to cultivate than G. circinata ; thriving best in well-
drained vegetable mould.

3. G. flabellata, Br. (Pl. I. fig. la.) av. fern

Fronds usually 1-3 ft. high, but reaching 5-7 ft. in favoured )
localities, generally quite glabrous, membranous, very proliferous.
Branches ascending, dichotomous, fan-like; pinnz 4-12 in. long,
often pinnatifid above, lanceolate, 1-3 in. broad ; segments 1-2 in.
long, inclined, narrow-linear, serrulate on the margins, green on both
surfaces. Capsules about 3, exposed.

Distribution. N. and §. Australia, Tasmania, and New Cale-
donia.

This graceful fern ranges in N.Z. from the North Cape to the
Hauraki Gulf, Great Barrier Island being the most southerly
habitat yet recorded. According to Mr. ©. French (“Southern
Naturalist,” vol. i. p. 4) it is easily removed and transported toa
distance without much risk, and ‘is easily cultivated, requiring black
sandy loam, good drainage, plenty of pot room, and abundance of
water. Probably in the 8. portion of our island it would require
housing during the winter months. In Kew Gardens a plant of
this species has attained a circumference of 12-13 ft., with fronds
44 ft. high. '

4. G. cunninghamii, Heward. (The umbrella-fern.)

Rhizome stout, creeping. Fronds erect, 1-2 ft. high, often pro- »
liferous, coriaceous ; stipes, costa and rachis hairy and scaly beneath.
Branches curving or spreading, dichotomous, fan-like; pinne 6-12 in.
long, usually pinnatifid above, linear, often falcate, acuminate, 4-1

Gleichenia] I.—FILICES. 27

in. broad; segments 4-2 in. long, linear, margins flat or recurved,.
quite entire, often glaucous below. Capsules 2-4, usually exposed.

Distribution.—Confined. to New Zealand. (Near a 8, African
species, G. umbraculifera, Moore.) Tolerably common throughout
the N. Island, from the Bay of Islands southwards, but occurring
more locally in the S. Island. It becomes more abundant in the
extreme south, and is common in Stewart Island.

This species is considered by Mr. T. H. Potts to be the most
difficult of the N.Z. Gleichenias to cultivate.

5. G. dichotoma, Willd.

Fronds 2-6 ft. high. Stipes zigzag, repeatedly di- or tri-chotomous,
the ultimate branches bearing a pair of forked pinne; a distinct
pair of pinne also arises from the base of the forked branches (not
of the frond). Pinne lanceolate, acuminate, pinnatifid; segments.
linear, obtuse or emarginate, glaucous below. Capsules 10-12,
exposed.

Synonyms.—These are so numerous, owing to the number of
localities from which this fern has been described, that a list of them
would only serve to confuse the reader.

Distribution.—Almost universally distributed throughout the
tropical and subtropical regions of both the New and Old Worlds,
ranging as far north as Japan.

Only found in N.Z. in the Hot Spring district, where it is
abundant in several localities, as at Rotomahana, Orakeikorako,
and round L. Taupo, where it thrives best among the sulphurous
vapours, It has also been gathered at Matata in the Bay of Plenty.
This is the fern mentioned in the ‘““N.Z. Handbook,” p. 348, as.
having been erroneously introduced by Forster among his New
Zealand plants. Mr. Kirk has pointed out that probably Forster
gathered it at some isolated locality in the Bay of Plenty or Poverty
Bay, but that his inclusion of it among the plants used by the
Maories as food is apparently an error.

In the 8. Island this plant requires indoor cultivation, and the
remark probably applies to the greater portion of the N, Island
also. Mr. J. Smith, formerly curator of the Royal Botanic Gardens,
Kew, recommends the growth of all the species of Gleichenia in
shallow pans or boxes, as, in all, the rhizome creeps at only a short
distance below the surface of the ground.

Genus IL—CYATHEA,* Smith. (Pl. I. fig. 2.)

Tree-ferns. Fronds bi- or tri-pinnate. Sori on the veins, or in
the axil of the forking of a vein, distant from the margin, globose.
Involucre inferior, globose, covering the whole sorus, afterwards.
bursting irregularly at the summit, forming a more or less persistent

* Gr. Kyathos, a cup, from the cup-shaped indusium.

28 1.—FILICES [Cyat
-cup. Capsules numerous, crowded on an elevated ee usually
half-girt with a broad vertical elastic ring.

Frond white and glaucous below... 1. C. dedibata,
Frond not white nor glaucous below.

Frond coriaceous; costa glabrous
above, tubercled below... ... 2. C. medullaris.

Frond flaccid, membranous;
costa with short stiff hairs
above, scabrous below .... .... 3. C. cunninghamii.

1. C. Dealbata, Swartz. (Ponga ; silver tree-fern.)

Trunk slender, almost black, 10-40 ft. high. Fronds 6-12 ft.
long, bipinnate, slightly coriaceous, dark-green above, white under-
neath from the presence of a deciduous powder. Stipes, rachises
and cost with pale-brown deciduous tomentum ; primary divisions
1-1} ft. long; pinne 2-4 in. long, linear-lanceolate, acuminate or
caudate, deeply pinnatifid or pinnate below ; lobes close-set, linear-
‘oblong, more or less falcate, serrate. Sori numerous; involucre
membranous, breaking irregularly, leaving usually an orbicular
-cup.

+) Distribution—Lord Howe’s Island (to the N.W.); Chatham
Islands (to the E.)

This is one of the most beautiful and common tree-ferns in New
Zealand, ranging from the North Cape to Foveaux Straits. In the
S. Island it is rather local on the W. Coast, but abundant on the
East. It has not been recorded from Stewart Island. It is only to
be found in the shelter of the forests, where alone all the Cyatheas
and Dicksonias are to be looked for.

2. C. medullaris, Swartz. (Upmuka j Blackfern.)

Trunk 10-40 ft. high, stout, conical, black, densely fibrous. Fronds
very numerous, 10-20 ft. long, bi- or tri-pinnate, coriaceous, dark-
green above, pale below; stipes and rachis covered with short
spinous tubercles; secondary pinne 4-6 in. long, 3-1} in. broad,
acuminate, pinnatifid above, pinnate below; segments } in. long,
oblong or linear, falcate, obtuse or acute, lobulate or sub-pinnatifid
in fertile, serrate or entire in barren specimens. Sori arranged
singly on each lobe of the segment, the margin of which is usually
revolute. Involucral cup with an irregular or 2-lobed margin.

Synonyms.—Polypodium medullare, Yorst.; C. milnei, Hook.
{variety from Kermadec Islands) ; C. polyneuron, Col. (var.)

Distribution.—S.E. Australia (Baron F. von Mueller), Kermadec
Islands, Chatham Islands.

This splendid fern is found from North Cape to Stewart Island.
It is common on the West Coast of the S. Island and throughout
the forests of the N. Island, but is rare along the Hast Coast of

Cyathea] 1.—FILICES. 29°

Otago, and has not apparently been gathered in the E. of Canter-
bury. At the Thames it ascends to 2,000 ft. The Maories still eat
the mucilaginous pith (from which the specific name is derived),
and also prepare a thick syrup from it. As the trunks are very
useful for house-building, fencing, road-making, &c., the plant runs
a great risk of being exterminated in time. In humid districts it
stands transplantation well, and therefore ought to be easily culti-
vated, if suitable means are adopted to keep the surrounding
atmosphere sufficiently moist.

3. C. cunninghamii, Hook. f.

Trunk 10-15 ft. high, more or less fibrous and scarred with the
bases of old fronds. Fronds numerous, 6-9 ft. long, tripinnate,
flaccid and membranous, acuminate; stipes and rachis pale, fur-
nished with scales and long brown hairs, slightly tubercled, costz
with short, stiff hairs; primary pinne 1-2 ft. long; secondary
pinne 2-5 in. long, #1 in. broad, oblong, acuminate, pinnatifid at
the apex ; segments $ in. long, linear, pinnatifid, lobes entire. Sori
small, solitary on each lobe; involucre very thin, breaking down
very irregularly into a shallow cup, sometimes remaining as a scale:
on the underside (as in the genus Hemitelia).

I follow Sir J. D. Hooker and Baker in retaining this fern as a
distinct species; probably it ought to be reduced to the rank of a
variety of C. medullaris, from which it is, however, easily distin-
guished by habit and a few very unimportant characters.

It appears to be confined to the North Island, where it ranges.
from Bay of Islands to Cook Straits.

Genus II] —HEMITELIA,* Sr. (Pl. I. fig. 3.)

Tree-ferns. Fronds large, pinnate or decompound. Sori globose,
dorsal on a vein or veinlet. Receptacle elevated. Involucre a scale.
—often very deciduous—situated on the underside of the sorus.

(A genus not easily distinguished from Cyathea, and intermediate
between it and Alsophila.)

sae 1. H. smithii, Hook.

- Trunk 10-20 ft. high, covered with fibres, and rough with the
persistent bases of old fronds. Fronds 8-9 ft. long, bipinnate, bright
pale green ; stipes stout, clothed at the base with stiff subulate brown
scales, 1-14 in. long; rachis pale, glabrous and smooth except at the
tips, which—with the costee—are furnished with very short, stiff hairs ;
primary pinne 12-15 in. long, 4-5 in. broad ; secondary pinne 2-24
in. long, pinnate below, pinnatifid above; segments linear-oblong,
acute, falcate, serrate or crenate. Sori on the forks of the veins ;
involucre hemispherical.

* Gr. Hemiteles, half-finished, from the imperfect involucre.

30 1.—FILICES, [Hemitelia

Synonym.—Cyathea Smithii, Hook. f. (“Handbook N.Z. FI,”
p. 350.
a A oe abundant tree-fern, ranging in the North Island from the
Bay of Islands to Wellington, and ascending to 3,000 ft. In the
South Island very common, as far south as Foveaux Straits. This
species stands transplantation very well, and is an easily-cultivated
fern, requiring a rather shaded spot and considerable depth of soil.
It should be found in every good fernery.

Geyus IV._ALSOPHILA,* Br. (Pl. I. fig. 4.)

Small tree-ferns. Fronds large, bi- or tri-pinnate. Sori globose,
dorsal, on a vein or in the forking of a vein; involucre wanting ;
receptacle more or less elevated.

1. A. colensoi, Hook. f.

Trunk 2-5 ft. high (rarely as much as 7 ft.), suberect or prostrate,
and sometimes buried almost to the crown. Fronds bipinnate, 2-4
ft. long, 10-20 in. broad, membranous ; stipes densely clothed at the
base with subulate white scales 4-1 in. long; the rest of the stipes,
rachises and coste with numerous brown hairs and tumid fimbriate
scales; primary pinne 12-14 in. long, oblong-lanceolate, acuminate ;
secondary pinnee 14-2 in. long, acuminate, rather distant, deeply
pinnatifid ; lobes oblong, obtuse, serrate. Sori numerous, prominent,
situated on the middle of the veins.

This, the hardiest of our tree-ferns, occurs chiefly in elevated and
somewhat exposed districts. In the N. Island it is found in the
hilly country of the interior at elevations of 1,500 to 2,500 ft. It
occurs in the §. Island in various parts of Canterbury province,
as at Malvern Hills, Banks’ Peninsula, &c. In Otago it is very
local, occurring abundantly on Flagstaff Hill, near Dunedin ; also at
Catlin’s River, Lake Wakatipu, and near Invercargill.

An easily-cultivated species, requiring as little care as any, and
not particular as to the amount of sunshine it receives.

Genus V.—DICKSONIA,} L’Heritier. (Pl. I. fig. 5.)

Tree-ferns. Fronds large, bi- or tri-pinnate. Sori globose, at the
apex of a vein, just within the margin. Involucre inferior, sub-
globose, 2-valved; inner valve coriaceous, outer formed of the
recurved concave tooth of the pinnule. Receptacle elevated ;
capsules half-girt with an incomplete vertical ring.

Trunk tall, black. Stipes tubercled, black.
Sori large, 6-8 on each segment,
completely filling itup... ... .... 1. D. squarrosa.

* Gr. Alsos, a grove ; phileo, to love.
+ In honour of James Dickson, a British cryptogamic botanist.

Dicksonia] I.—FILICES. 31

Trunk tall, brown. Stipes smooth, pale-
brown. Sori rather small, 4-5 on
each segment... ... ... ... ... 2. D. antarctica.

Trunk short or O, Stipes smooth, pale.
Sori rather large, 6-10 on each
segment, fillngitup ... ... ... 3. D. lanata.

1. D. squarrosa, Swartz, 2ehi” ec ahece

Trunk 10-20 ft. high, slender, black or dark brown, clothed with
the persistent bases of old fronds. Fronds few, bi- or tri-pinnate,
6-10 ft. long, oblong-deltoid, very coriaceous. Stipes black, tubercled,
densely covered with soft spreading hairs intermingled with scales
4-1 in. long; primary pinne 10-30 in. long, 4-6 in. broad ; secondary
3-4 in. long, 4-2 in. broad, linear, sessile or stipitate ; segments
Janceolate-oblong, rigid, sterile toothed, fertile deeply pinnatifid.
Sori large, 6-8 on a segment.

Synonyms.—Trichomanes squarrosa, orst.; Dicksonia fibrosa,
Col. ; D. intermedia, Col.

Mr. Kirk remarks on D. fibrosa, Col., which he makes a variety
of D. squarrosa :—“ This differs from ordinary forms of the Austra-
lian and Tasmanian plant in its smaller size, hairy rachis, more
compact habit, and less coriaceous texture, but these are not
characters on which specific distinctions can be based.” (‘N.Z. Inst.
Trans.,” vol. x. app. p. 43.)

This species occurs in the Chatham Islands, but does not
range outside the N.Z. region. It occurs abundantly in both
islands, from the extreme north to Stewart Island. The facility
with which it is cultivated renders it a favourite plant with fern
growers in other parts of the world, and, probably, were it not so
common here, it would be more grown than itis. In Otago it
occurs in bush and scrub from sea-level to 1,500 ft., and in Auckland
province (at the Thames) up to 2,000 ft.; so that it is a hardy
species, and stands frost and snow better than it does a burning sun.

- 2, D. antarctica, Lab. (Weki-ponga of the Maories.)

Le (PL I. fig. 4.)

4’ Stem 10-20 ft. high, stout, 1-14 ft. diam., and densely clothed
with matted brown fibres. Fronds usually bipinnate, 4-10 feet long,
spreading, broadly lanceolate, coriaceous ; stipes very short, smooth ;
rachis and coste more or less pilose ; primary divisions 5-10 in. long,
14-2 in. broad, narrowed into long points ; secondary pinne }-1 in.
long, sessile, linear, acute; segments oblong, acutely toothed. Sori
4-6 on each segment.

D. sparmanniana, Col., has a very short stem, only rising a few
inches above the ground, obovate or cuneate fronds, and about four
small sori on each segment, in this and other respects resembling var.
fibrosa. It occurs in hilly, shaded forests on the western slopes of

32 1.—FILICES. [Dicksonia

Ruahine Range, at the head of the river Manawatu (Colenso, “Trans.
N.Z. Inst.,” vol. xii. p. 363).

Distribution.—Tasmania and Eastern Australia, where it grows
to a height of 30-40 ft., and with a trunk 4 ft. in diameter. Ap-
parently also in New Caledonia.

In N.Z. the species is more limited than D. squarrosa,
apparently not occurring north of Tauranga, on the E. Coast, or
Ngaruawahia, on the W. Coast of the North Island. In the
interior of the island, however, it is common, and is abundant in the
forests of the South Island, where it ascends to a height of 3,000 ft.

It is an easily-cultivated species, and is one of the commonest
tree-ferns to be found in the fern-houses of European and American
cultivators.

3. D. lanata, Col.

Stem wanting or short, not exceeding 4-5 ft. high, covered with
the bases of old fronds, but without matted root fibres. Fronds
1-7 ft. long, bi- or tri-pinnate, very coriaceous, broadly lanceolate or
elliptical ; stipes very long, furnished at the base with long dense
purplish hairs; rachis glabrous; primary pinne 6-12 in. long,
oblong, acuminate; secondary 14-34 in. long, linear, acuminate ;
segments broadly oblong, obtusely toothed. (The fertile pinne are
narrower than the barren, and are often pinnate again, while the
others which have the segments deltoid in form are only lobed or
pinnatifid.) Sori crowded, 6-12 on each segment, filling up the
whole of it except the midrib.

Synonym.—D. levis, Heward.

This species is confined to the forests of New Zealand. It is
common in the north of Auckland province, where it is usually
furnished with a short trunk, while to the south it assumes the
stemless habit. It is very local in its distribution, occurring in
several localities in the Taupo district, at Cape Colville, at the
Thames at elevations of 1,200-1,800 ft., and probably throughout
the interior of the North Island. It is also found in the South
Island, along the W. Coast as far as Okarita, and down the E.
Coast to Banks’ Peninsula, where, however, it is by no means
common.

Genus VI—LOXSOMA,* Br. (PI. I. fig. 6.)

Rhizome stout, woody, creeping. Fronds erect, coriaceous,
3-pinnate, opaque. Sori marginal, in the sinus of the teeth or lobes,
terminating a vein, inclined backwards. Involucre urceolate, coria-
ceous; mouth entire, truncate. Capsules pedicelled, with a short
broad incomplete oblique ring, opening vertically. Receptacle
elongate, much exserted, furnished with jointed hairs among the
capsules.

* Gr. Losos, oblique ; soma, a band, referring to the ring of the capsule.

Loasoma) I.—FILICES. 33

1. L. cunninghamii, 2r.

Rhizome covered with long, curved, red-brown hairs. Fronds
1-2 ft. high, broadly triangular, bright-green above, usually white or
glaucous below ; stipes (long) and rachis glabrous, polished ; pinnze
ascending, lower opposite; pinnules lanceolate, again pinnate or
_ pinnatifid ; segments linear-oblong, subacute, notched. Se:

“°A remarkable fern, with the habit of a coriaceous Dicksonia ;
the fructification rather of Trichomanes, but with a very short and‘
oblique ring to the capsule.”—(‘ Syn. Fil,” p. 56.) This beautiful’
and interesting species is the only one of the genus, and is not only
confined to New Zealand, but is very local and restricted in its
distribution, occurring in woods in the N. Island only, as far south
as the Thames. It is to be found at various localities near Auck-
land, also at Coromandel, Wangarei, Bay of Islands and Great
Barrier Island where it ascends to 1,000 ft.

There are two very slightly differing varieties, one having the
under surface of the frond glaucous or_silvery, and the other with
both surfaces of an uniform olivaceous green colour,

Genus VII—HYMENOPHYLLUM,* L. (Filmy-ferns.)
(Pl. I. fig. 7.)

Ferns usually furnished with a slender, wiry, creeping rhizome,
growing on the trunks of trees and damp rocks. Fronds mostly of a
delicate membranous texture, more or less pellucid ; pinnate or 2- or
3-pinnatifid. Sori axillary or terminal, more or less sunk in the
frond or exserted, terminating a costa or vein. Involucre more or
less deeply 2-valved, membranous ; lips toothed or entire, opening
outwards. Receptacle elongated, exserted or included. Capsules
mostly orbicular, depressed, girt by a complete, broad transverse
ring, opening irregularly at the apex.

The beautiful and delicate ferns belonging to this genus owe their
filmy appearance to the fact that the tissue of their fronds is com-
posed (as in mosses) of a single layer of cells. In cultivating them,
therefore, it is necessary to protect them from the wind as well as
the sun, and also from the dry air of most rooms. They are usually
grown under bell-glasses or in cases specially constructed for them,
as the atmosphere they thrive ,best in is too moist for most other
ferns, and they should be placed in a shady spot. In their native
habitats they grow frequently in a continual drip, and indoors they
like something as near that as possible—a sort of perpetual steam-
bath—but in this respect there is considerable variability, some
species being much hardier than others. A loose, fibrous, somewhat
sandy soil with good drainage suits them best.

The accompanying artificial key to aid in the identification of the
species is essentially the sume as that wn Hooker's “ Handbook to the
N.Z. Flora,’ p. 852.

*Gr. Hymen, a membrane, and phyllon, a leaf.

34 I.—FILICES.

J.—Fronds glabrous ; margins toothed.

Fronds 1-3 in. long, ee Sori
supra-axillary ...

Fronds 4-2 in. long, pinata, Sori
solitary, terminal on the main
rachis, free

Fronds minute, 4-2 in. — sinsple
or digitately- forked. Sori 1-3,
terminal on the segments

Fronds 2- or 3-pinnatifid, ovate-
deltoid. Invol. sub-orbicular,
divided nearly to the base.
Receptacle always included

Fronds 3-pinnatifid, ovate-lanceo-
late. Invol. obovate, tubular
below, divided not more than
haif-way down. Receptacle
often exserted ...

II.—Fronds glabrous, or with hairs on
only (except in No. 16); margins entire.

[Hymenophyllum

1. H. tunbridgense
2. H. minimum.

3. H. cheesemanii.

4, H. bivalve.

5. H. multifidum.

the stipes, rachis and costa

* Fronds pinnatifid ; stipes and rachis more or less winged throughout.

Stipes filiform. Frond pendulous,
flat, very delicate, 2-pinnatifid.
Invol. large, broad, compressed,
terminal, on the segments of
the upper pinnze

Fronds 3-pinnatifid, rather opaque,
reddish ; rachis glabrous ; seg-
ments linear, flat or concave ;
sori terminal or axillary, free ;
invol. broad, ovate ..

Fronds 3- or 4-pinnatifid, opaque ;
rachis villous; segments long,
narrow-linear : sori always ter-
minal, free; invol. broad,
orbicular sit

Fronds 3-pinnatifid ; os vais
and segments crisped or wavy ;
sori terminal or axillary, free ;
invol. broad, orbicular

Fronds 2-pinnatifid dull-green ;
segments linear ; sori terminal,
free ; invol. narrow, lips deeply
toothed eo Be

6. H. rarum.

7. H. polyanthos.

8. H. villosum.

9. H. javanicum.

. 10. H. montanum.

AHymenophyllhum| I.—FILICES. 35

Fronds tall, 3-pinnatifid. Sori ter-
minal or axillary, halfsunk in
the frond ; invol. i half-
way down aa .. Ll. H. dilatatum.

Fronds tall, broad, 3- or depinnatie
fid. Sori terminal or axillary,
free; invol. orbicular, divided
nearly to the base... ... ... 12. H. pulcherrimum.

** Fronds pinnate below. Stipes not winged. Rachis winged above only.

Stipes and rachis glabrous. Fronds
bright-green. Invol. ovate ... 13. H. demissum.

Stipes and rachis bristly. Fronds
dark-green. Invol. orbicular... 14. H. scabrum.

Stipes woolly at the base only ; rachis
glabrous. Fronds _pale-green,
glistening... ... ... ... ... 15. H. flabellatum.

Stipes, rachis and coste sparingly
hairy. Invol. small, terminal,
half-sunk in the frond ; hainy
when young... ... ... ... 16. H. rufescens.

TIJ.—Fronds ciliated, and covered with brownish stellate
‘pubescence.

Fronds oblong, acuminate, with a
broad central undivided portion ;
rachis broadly winged above and
ciliated. Sori terminal, sunk in
the frond... ... 0 ... 0... ... 17. Hi. ciliatum.

Fronds pendulous, ovate-lanceolate,
divided nearly to the rachis ;
rachis slightly winged above.
Sori terminal, sunk in the frond 18. H. subtilissimum.

Fronds rigid, erect, linear-oblong,
everywhere covered with dense
pale tomentum,; rachis quite
free. Sori terminating the seg-
ments; lips of invol. shaggy ... 19. H. malingii.

1. H. tunbridgense, Simith.

Quite glabrous, tufted or matted. Rhizome slender, wiry. Fronds
1-3 in. long, oblong-lanceolate or linear, pinnate; pinne pinnatifid ;
segments linear, toothed. Involucre usually solitary, axillary, sub-
orbicular, compressed, free or sunk in the segments ; lips toothed or
entire—

36 I.—FILICES. [Zymenophyllum

A. tunbridgense, Sm. (proper). Segments rather close ; involucre
sunk in the segments. (H. zeelandicum, V. den Bosch ;
here also must be referred H. pusillum, Col.)

B. unilaterale, Wilid.—Pinne with few segments, which are pin--
natifid on the upper side only ; involucre free, lips entire
(H. wilsoni, Hook. ; H. cupressiforme, Zab. ; H. revolutum

Col.)

The synonyms of this species are so numerous that it is quite
unnecessary to recapitulate them ; the above being the most familiar,
The two chief forms are readily distinguished, but the intermediate:
gradations are so numerous that itis next to impossible to fix on
any distinctive characters of sufficient importance to be considered’
specific.

* Distribution—In most humid, temperate, and sub-tropical parts
of the world. Both forms occur in Britain.

In N.Z. it ranges from the N. Cape to Stewart Island, and at all’
elevations from sea-level to 3,000 ft.; var. B., though having the
same range as A, is more local, and is not so common.

2. H. minimum, 4. Rich.

Rhizome filiform, wide-creeping ; stipes filiform, }-}in. long. Frond’
4-2 in. long, pale-green, broadly ovate or deltoid, pinnate below, pin-
natifid above ; pinne and segments entire or cut inte dmear obtuse
lobes, which are ciliate-toothed. Sori solitary,” te nimating the:
main rachis only; involucre free, stipitate, obovate-cuneate ; lips:
short, toothed.

The solitary sorus is the most distinctive character of this pretty
little fern, which ranges outside of New Zealand only to the Auck-
land Islands. In the N. Island it occurs in the neighbourhood of
Cook Strait, being “ partial to shaded rocks near the sea ;” and it
has also been recorded from Wangaroa, in the extreme north of
Auckland peninsula. In the South Island itis much more abundant,
though not very common, being found along both the E. and W.
Coasts, ascending in Otago to 3,000 ft.

T cannot see by what characters H. pygmeum—described by Mr.
Colenso (in “ N.Z. Inst. Trans.,” vol. xiii. p. 376)—is to be separated’
as more than a variety from this species.

3. H. cheesemanii, Baker.

A most minute tufted species, with filiform wide-creeping rhizome.
Stipes filiform, }-4in. long. Frond 4-2 in. long, simple, forked or:
palmately 3- or 4-fid ; segments linear-oblong or ligulate, obtuse, one-
veined, strongly ciliate-toothed on the margins. Sori 1-3 to a frond,
terminal on the segments; involucre orbicular, immersed at the base:
only, valves rounded, entire, much exceeding the very short tube.

This miniature species has been found in the North Island among:
moss on trees at Whangarei, Great Barrier Island, Hunua, Titirangi,.

Hymenophylium) I, —FILICES, 37

and the Thames goldfields, and always above 500 ft. elevation. In
the South Island, on rocks on the Upper Waimakariri, Bealey,
Arthur’s Pass, and several other localities on the Canterbury Alps ;
‘while on the West Coast it occurs at Okarita (the most southern
locality yet recorded) and Hokitika; its range is from sea-level to
4,000

To this species must apparently be united H. armstrongii, Kirk
(Trichomanes armstrongii, Baker), which is only to be distinguished—
according to Mr. Kirk—by its firmer texture and stout marginal
nerve, both of them characters which do not appear to be always
constant. A figure of this appears in “N.Z, Inst. Trans.,” vol. x.
p. 394,

4. H. bivalve, Swartz.

A matted, glabrous species, with stout, wiry, creeping rhizome.
Stipes 2-4 in. long, wiry, naked. Frond 3-8 in. long, dark-green,
broadly-ovate or triangular, 2- or 3-pinnatifid; main rachis slightly
winged above; secondary rachis winged throughout ; lower pinne
triangular, acuminate; ultimate segments linear, deeply toothed.
Sori very numerous, terminal; involucre broadly ovate or subor-
bicular, entire, divided nearly to the base, which is sunk in the
frond ; receptacle always included.

Synonyms.—H. spathulatum, Col. ; H. pyriforme, V. den Bosch ;
‘Trichomanes bivalve, Forst. ; T. pacificum, Hedw.

Distribution.—Confined to N.Z. and the Chatham Islands.

In the 8. Island this species is common in the bush, ranging in
Otago from sea-level up to 3,000 ft. In the N. Island it occurs
commonly along the 8S. and E. Coasts, and in the hilly districts of
the interior, but appears always to occur at considerable elevations,
2,000 ft. being about the average level. Thus at the Thames it has
been gathered at 1,500-1,900 ft., on Pirongia at 2,700 ft. and Mt.
Tarawera at 3,000 ft. At Cape Colville, according to Mr. Kirk, it
‘does not occur below 2,000 ft. Apparently it has never been
gathered about Auckland, or on the peninsula to the N. of it.

This is one of the most water-loving species of the genus, being
frequently found—and in the greatest luxuriance—in the drip of a
waterfall or on the rocky banks of forest streams. This fact is worth
remembering in cultivating it.

5. H. multifidum, Swarts. “

A matted glabrous species. Stipes 2-4 in. long, wiry, naked.”
Fronds 2-6 in. long, ovate-lanceolate, tri-pinnatifid ; rachis hardly
winged above ; pinne broadly lanceolate ; ultimate segments linear,
very sharply toothed. Sori rather numerous, terminal on the lateral
segments of the upper pinne ; involucre quite free, obovate, tubular
below ; valves divided not more than half-way down, lips entire ;
receptacle often exserted.

38 I.—FILICES, [Hymenophylhum

Nearly allied to H. bivalve, but distinguished by the shape of the
involucre, the frond being usually narrower at the base, the sori
fewer, and the usually exserted receptacle.

Synonyms.—H. feejeense, Brack.; Trichomanes multifidum,
Forst.

Distribution.—Islands of the Pacific; Auckland Islands ; Camp-
bell Islands.

A common and widely-ranging species, occurring throughout the
N. and 8. Islands up to 3,000 ft., and also abundantly in Stewart
Island.

6. H. rarum, Sr.

A very delicate pendulous species, forming matted tufts on stems
of trees and rocks. Stipes 1-3 in. long, extremely slender. Frond
2-6 in. long, 1-2 in. broad, oblong or linear-oblong, 2-pinnatifid,
flaccid, pale-green and glistening ; main rachis winged throughout ;.
pinne simple and linear, or forked or pinnatifid ; “segments short,
broad, flat, margins not toothed. Sori large, terminal on the
segments of the upper pinne and sunk in their extremities ;
involucre ovate or rounded, valves divided half-way down or more,.
lips broad, entire.

Synonyms.—H. semi-bivalve, Hook. and Grev. ; H. fumarioides,
Lory. ; H. imbricatum, Col.; H. natalense and ‘tabulare, V. den
Bosch.

Distribution.—Auckland Islands, Tasmania, Mauritius, and 8.
Africa. Apparently also in Chiloe, Fuegia and Japan.

H. imbricatum of Colenso is a variety with a very short rachis,
not more than | in. long, and imbricated, slightly crisped pinne.

This species ranges from the extreme N. of Auckland peninsula
to Otago, and is tolerably abundant. In the Thames district it
ascends to 2,500 ft.

This fern is rather difficult to cultivate, as it is usually found on
tree-fern and other stems, its rhizomes creeping along under the bark
or among the matted fibres ; in transplanting, therefore, it is almost
necessary to bring its support away with it.

7. H. polyanthos, Swartz.

A matted species with rather stout rhizome. Stipes 2-3 in. joey
slender, glabrous or bristly ; wing narrow or O. Fronds 2-8 in.
long, 1- 3 in. broad, broadly-ovate or oblong, rather opaque and
reddish, 2- or 3-pinnatifid ; main rachis usually broadly winged ;.
segments linear, flat or wavy, ultimate short, quite entire. ‘Sori
numerous, terminal or axillary on the segments, free ; involucres.
orbicular or ovate, broader than the segments, 2-valved to the base,
valves entire or denticulate.

Synonyms.—H. protrusum, Hook. ; H. sanguinolentum, Swartz.

Hymenophyllum] I.—FILICES. 39

Distribution.—A very common and wide-spread tropical and sub-
tropical fern, occurring in America (in Cuba and Jamaica, Brazil,
8. Chili and Juan Fernandez); in Asia (in India, Ceylon, the
Malay Peninsula and Java); and in W. tropical Africa, Madagascar’
and Mauritius. It has not, however, been recorded from Australia.

In New Zealand it is an abundant species and is common through-
out, from N. Cape to Stewart Island. At the Thames and on
Pirongia it is common at 2,700 ft., and in Otago ranges from near
sea-level to about 3,000 ft.

Swartz’s name for this fern was given on account of the peculiar

and disagreeable odour it emits when drying, and also from its
, :

reddish colourze-4.L UA eres Pa frer biter Meyerg
8. H. villosum, Col.

Rhizome wiry, creeping on rocks and trees. Stipes 1-2 in. long,
with or without a narrow wing, villous. Fronds 2-5 in. high, 1-2 in.
broad, opaque, dull brownish-green, broadly ovate or ovate-acuminate,
villous, 3-pinnate ; main rachis narrowly winged, flexuous; primary
and secondary pinne deltoid, tertiary twice or thrice divided into
narrow linear forked segments. Sori terminal and axillary, free;
involucres as broad or broader than the segments, 2-valved to the
base ; valves entire.

Distribution.—Confined to New Zealand, where it has been
recorded from the following localities :—N. Island: Ruatahuna,
and summit of Tarawera, both localities lying in the mountainous
region between Hawke’s Bay and Bay of Plenty. South Island :
Mountains of the Amuri, Nelson, 3-4,000 ft. ; Broken River, Upper
Waimakariri and Arthur’s Pass, 2-3,000 ft., and Ashburton, in the
Canterbury district ; Okarita, on the W. Coast, the lowest altitude
at which it has been observed ; the Routeburn and mountains above
Lake Harris, 4,000 ft.

Mr. Kirk, from whose paper (in the “N.Z. Inst. Trans.,” vol. x.
p- 395) I have quoted the above information, considers that this
species is probably common throughout the colony at elevations
above the highest limit of A. polyanthos, although but rarely
occurring below.

In the “‘Handbook to the N.Z. Flora,” this is treated as a
variety of H. Polyanthos, but its claim to specific distinctness appears
to have been well established.

9. H. javanicum, Spreng.

Tufted or matted; rhizome glabrous, wiry and creeping. Stipes
2-4 in. long, erect, margined above with a broad crisp wing. Frond
4-8 in. long, 3-4 in. broad, triangular, 3-pinnatifid, dull-green; main
and secondary rachises bordered throughout with broad crisped
wings; lower pinne 14-2 in. long, deeply pinnatifid; segments
narrow-linear, quite entire, more or less crisped. Sori numerous,
terminal or axillary on the segments on both sides ; involucre free,

40 I,—FILICES. [Hymenophyllum

ovate or orbicular, as broad or broader than the segments; valves
divided to the base, lips entire or denticulate.

Synonyms.—H. crispatum, Wallich ; H. fimbriatum, J. Sm. ;
H. flexuosum, A. cunn.; H. flabellatum, Br. (not Labill.); H.
dedalum and H. erosum, Blume ; H. reinwardii, H. micranthum,
‘and H. tasmanicum, V. den Bosch.

H. atro-virens, Colenso, is a variety only, in which the segments
of the frond are nearly plane, and the involucres rather narrower
than the segments.

Distribution.—India, Ceylon, Malay Peninsula, Philippine
Islands, Australia, Tasmania, and E. to the Chatham Islands.

This species ranges widely in New Zealand, but is rather local in
its occurrence. It occurs in many localities to the north of Auck-
land, in the islands to the east, and in the forest region of the
interior, down towards Wellington. At the Thames it is common
at an elevation of about 1,500 ft. In the South Island it occurs
sparingly along the eastern side of the central ranges, as at Rakaia
Gorge, Malvern Hills, &c.; more common near Dunedin; while in
the dense forests of the West Coast of Otago it is abundant, and
ascends to over 2,000 ft.

10. H. montanum, 4Azrk.

Rhizome slender, wiry, creeping. Stipes about 1 in. long, winged
nearly to the base. Fronds few, 2-3 in. long, glabrous, linear-oblong
or oblong-lanceolate, bi-pinnatifid, dull-green ; rachis flexuous, winged ;
pinne in from 5-8 pairs, mostly alternate, spreading, about 4 in. long,
cut nearly to the rachis into 2-4 spreading, linear, forked or bilabiate
segments. Involucres terminating the segments, small, oval,
2-lipped nearly to the base; lips deeply toothed or jagged,
receptacle included.

This very recent addition to the New Zealand Hymenophylle was
gathered on the mountains at the head of Lake Wakatipu. I have
not seen the plant, and have therefore given Mr. Kirk’s description
in its entirety. The description and figure occur in the “N.Z.
Inst. Trans.,” vol. x. p. 394.

The species differs from the others of the same section in its
narrow involucres, with deeply toothed or jagged lips.

Mr. Armstrong (“N.Z. Inst. Trans.,” vol. xii. p. 346) suggests
this as a variety of H. tunbridgense, but apparently without

apy reason, and reports it as occurring locally in the Canterbury
Alpine district.

11. H. dilatatum, Swartz.

A very large, handsome, sub-erect fern, with a long, stout, wiry,
and glabrous rhizome. Stipes 2-6 in. long, erect, wiry, winged above.
Fronds bright-green, 6-18 in. long, or even as much as 30 in. in
very fine specimens, 4-6 in. broad, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, 3-pin-
natifid; main rachis winged throughout ; lower pinne ovate-lanceolate,

Hymenophylhin] I,—FILICES. 41

divided nearly to the rachis, often cuneate at the base ; secondary
pinne again pinnatifid; ultimate segments linear, obtuse, entire.
Sori numerous, terminal and axillary, somewhat sunk in the seg-
ments ; involucres orbicular, divided more than half-way down ;
valves entire ; clusters of capsules often exserted. he

Synonyms.—H. formosum, Brack. ; H. Junghuhnii and H. eximium, 2

V. den Bosch ; Trichomanes dilatatum, Jorst. ; Leptocionium sororium,
Presi.

Distribution.—Java, Tahiti, Samoa, Aneitum, Fiji, and other
Polynesian Islands; also found in the Chatham and Auckland
Islands. It is very nearly allied to H. fuciforme, Sw., a species
occurring in South Chili and Juan Fernandez.

This isa very common fern in New Zealand, wherever there is any
extent of moist bush. It is to be found from N. Cape to Stewart

Island, ascending at the Thames to 2,500 ft., and in Otago to about
3,000 ft.

12. H. pulcherrimum, Col. (PI. I. fig. 7.)

A tall, tufted, very handsome species, with a short, stout rhizome,
which is covered with brown bristles. Stipes 3-6 in. long, wiry,
erect, winged to the base. Fronds bright-green, 6-24 in. long, 4-6 in.
broad, broadly ovate or oblong, often linear-oblong in long specimens,
3-4-pinnatifid ; main rachis narrowly winged throughout, secondary
flexuous ; lower pinne 2-3 in. long, lanceolate with cuneate base ;
secondary pinne with several distinct pinnules on either side, which
are divided into pinnatifid segments; ultimate segments linear,
obtuse, entire. Sori numerous, free, axillary and terminal on the
segments ; involucres orbicular, divided to the base ; valves entire.

This very fine fern is confined to New Zealand, where, however,
it is much more local and restricted than H. dilatatum. A line
‘drawn across the North Island from E. Cape to Kawhia marks about
its northern limit; in the damp forests of the interior of the island
it occurs rather commonly at 2,000 ft. elevation. In the South
Island it is tolerably common down the W. Coast and throughout
Otago, but is rare along the E. Coast, from the Kakanui Mountains
northward to Marlborough. It is one of the handsomest ferns of the
whole genus, and as it frequently occurs in a tufted form, it is readily
transplanted. It grows tolerably freely in a case or damp green-
house, requiring abundant moisture, good drainage, and free vege-
table mould.

13. H. demissum, Swartz.

A matted species, with wide-spreading, glabrous and wiry rhizomes.
Stipes 4-6 in. long, erect, firm, glabrous and shining, not winged.
Fronds 4-12 in. long, 3-4 in. broad, deltoid or ovate-lanceolate, 3-4-
pinnatifid, pinnate below ; rachis slightly winged above; primary
pinne triangular, cuneate below, divided nearly to the rachis into
numerous pinnules, which are again divided into pinnatifid segments ;

42 I. —FILICES. [Hymenophyllum

ultimate lobes very narrow, entire. Sori very numerous, terminal
and axillary on the segments ; involucres small, ovate ; valves divided
to the base, entire or denticulate.

Synonyms.—H. productum, Kunze ; Trichomanes demissum, Jorst.

A variety of this species with relatively long stipes and strongly-

winged rachis has recently been described by Mr. W. Colenso as.
ft. erecto-alatum. (“N.Z. Inst. Trans.,” vol. xi. p. 431.)

«... Distribution. —Fiji, Java, several Polynesian islands, and the
- Philippines.

This dark-green, glossy fern grows most commonly on the ground,
seldom on tree-trunks unless they happen to have plenty of earth
on them. It is easily transplanted, and gives very little trouble to.
the cultivator, being a free grower and accommodating itself to.
circumstances more readily than any other species. It is abundant
throughout New Zealand.

14. H. scabrum, 4. Rich.

Rhizome stout, creeping, more or less covered with reddish hairs.
Stipes 2-6 in. long, rigid, wiry, covered—-as are the rachis and
generally the midribs—with rough reddish hairs. Fronds 6-18 in.
long (sometimes as much as 30 in. in very fine specimens), ovate-
acuminate or deltoid, 3-pinnatifid, pinnate below; rachis winged
above only ; lower pinne lanceolate or oblong, acuminate, divided
almost to the rachis into several pinnules, which are again pinnatifid ;
ultimate segments linear, obtuse, quite entire. Sori numerous,
terminal on the lateral segments; involucres orbicular, divided
nearly to the base ; lips toothed.

Synonym.—Spherocionium glanduliferum, Prest.

Distribution.—Confined to New Zealand. In the North Island
it ranges from the N. Cape to Wellington, ascending to 2,000 ft.,
and is very common. In the South Island it extends from Cook
Straits to Stewart Island, ascending to 3,000 ft. ; and while rather:
rare down the E. Coast, and of local occurrence on the W. Coast,
is again common on both sides of Foveaux Straits.

It is a very easily recognized species, its hairy stipes and rachis.
forming a most characteristic feature.

15. H. flabellatum, Zabii/.

A pale-green, glistening, often pendulous species, forming dense’
matted patches on the trunks of trees ; rhizome long, creeping, wiry,
covered with fine brown woolly hairs. Stipes 2-5 in. long, slender,
rather rigid, woolly at the base, not winged. Frond 2-8 in. long,.
2-3 in. broad, very variable, ranging from broadly ovate to linear,
3-pinnatifid, pinnate below ; pinnz close and imbricating, or distant,
flabellate, broadly deltoid, divided almost to the rachis into several
cuneate-based pinnules; ultimate segments linear, entire. Sori

Hymenophyllum| I, —YILICES. 43.

numerous, small, terminal on the lateral segments; involucres
orbicular or oblong, divided more than half-way down ; lips entire.

Synonyms.—H. nitens, Br, ; H. hookeri, Bory. and V. den Bosch.

Distribution.—Australia, the Philippines, and probably Sumatra ;.
also Auckland and Chatham Islands.

A common fern in New Zealand, ranging from the Bay of Islands
to Stewart Island; local along the E. Coast of the South Island.
In the. North Island it ascends to 2,500 ft.

Like H. rarum, this species sends its creeping rhizomes under the
bark of decaying trees, or among the fibres of tree-fern stems, though.
not to the same extent, and is therefore not a very easy plant to lift.
These two are both rather troublesome to cultivate.

16. H. rufescens, Airh.

Rhizome creeping, slender. Stipes, costa and veins when young
sparingly clothed with deciduous curved hairs. Stipes very slender,
1-2 in. long, exceeding the fronds. Fronds 1-14 in. long, deitoid,
sometimes cuneate at the base, pinnate; rachis winged above the
second pair of pinne ; pinne 2-pinnatifid, unequally rhomboid, the-
lowest pair divided nearly to the midrib ; the basal pinnules spread-
ing. Sori terminal; involucres small, half-immersed, divided nearly
to the base, hairy when young ; lips entire or minutely toothed.

This very recent addition to the genus is described in the “ Trans-
actions of the N.Z. Inst.,” vol. xi. p. 457. It has been gathered in
two localities only—viz., in the Ruahine mountains, in the N. Island,
and at Okarita, Westland, in the 8. Island.

17. H. ciliatum, Swarts.

Rhizome 1-2 in. long, filiform. Stipes 1-2 in. long, ciliated and
decurrently winged above. Fronds 2-6 in. long, 1-2 in. broad,
oblong, acuminate, 3-pinnatifid ; main rachis broadly winged through-
out and ciliated; lower pinne oblong or rhomboid, with a broad
central undivided portion; segments linear, simple or forked,.
ciliated. Sori numerous, terminal on the lateral segments; involu-
cres suborbicular, immersed ; valves divided about half-way down ;
lips conspicuously ciliated.

Synonyms.—H. plumieri, Hook. ; H. boryanum, Willd. Besides
these, Baker, in the “ Synopsis Filicum,” includes no less than eleven
species admitted by Van den Bosch.

Distribution.—Common in tropical America from Cuba to Brazil.
and Chili; E. Himalayas ; W. tropical Africa, and in the E. in the
Zambesi district, Mauritius, Madagascar, Bourbon, and other E.
African Islands.

This fern was originally found (in New Zealand) near Nelson, by
My. Travers, but the exact locality has been forgotten. Itis said by
Mr. Armstrong to occur—though rarely—in the Canterbury provincial
district ; I have not seen it.

44 I. —FILICES. [Zymenophyllum

18. H. subtilissimum, Awnze.

A rather small pendulous species, everywhere covered with tawny
-or brownish-red, silky, stellate hairs ; rhizome filiform. Stipes 1-3 in.
long, wiry, filiform, tomentose, not winged. Fronds 3-8 in. long,
1-2 in. broad, ovate-lanceolate or linear, 3-pinnatifid, pinnate below ;
main rachis slightly winged above ; lower pinne divided nearly to
the rachis into numerous alternate pinnules, which are again
-deeply divided into broad linear segments. Sori rather numerous,
terminal on the lateral segments ; involucres orbicular, divided nearly
to the base ; lips short, copiously ciliated.

Synonyms.—H. eruginosum, Hook. ; H. berteroi, Zook.; H. frank-
linianum, Col. H. eruginosum, Carm., is separated as a distinct
species by Baker, but is considered to be identical by Sir J. D.
Hooker. It is a Tristan d’Acunha species.

Distribution.—Chili, Chiloe, and Juan Fernandez.

In New Zealand this fern ranges from the Bay of Islands to
Stewart Island, in which last place it is very common. It
is also common in the damp forests of the interior of the North
Island, at about 2,000 ft. elevation, and is abundant down the W.
-coast of the South Island, though rare along the whole E. Coast.

19. H. malingii, Mettenius.

A most curious little fern, covered everywhere with pale-brown,
grey or reddish stellate tomentum ; rhizome slender, filiform, creep-
ing, with a few scattered hairs or scales. Stipes 1-3 in. long, slender,
not winged. Fronds pendent or erect, rather rigid, 2-8 in. long, 1-1}
in. broad, linear-oblong, 2-3 or 4-pinnatifid ; lower pinne oblong or
rhomboid, divided to the rounded rachis into flabellate, deeply pin-
natifid pinnules ; ultimate segments linear, almost terete, obtuse and
rather coriaceous. Sori terminal on the segments ; involucres sub-
globose, divided about half-way down ; valves toothed, densely
pubescent.

Synonym.—Trichomanes malingii, Hook.

This remarkable plant is confined to New Zealand, but its nearest
ally is H. sericeum, Sw., a species occurring in tropical America.
Its rarity probably adds to the interest which it excites in the minds
of fern-collectors. The only localities in which it has been gathered
are:—N. Island: Mt. Egmont. S. Island: Mountains between Blind
Bay and Massacre Bay ; Pine Hill and Mt. Cargill, near Dunedin ;
Banks’ Peninsula, near Port Levy, and Pigeon Bay; and on the
Franz-Joseph Glacier, W. Coast. Mr. Buchanan, in his sketch of
‘the Botany of Otago, gives this fern as occurring rarely on both the
East and West Coasts ; the locality named above is the only one I am
acquainted with in Otago. It appears to be a species easily
cultivated.

Trichomanes] I.—FILICES. 45-

Genus VII—TRICHOMANES,®* Smith. (Pl I. fig. 8.)

Fronds filmy, usually pellucid, in texture like those of Hymen-
ophyllum, and (except 7’. reniforme) formed of a single layer of cells,
simple or pinnate or 2-3-pinnatifid ; segments with one stout simple
or branched midrib. Sori marginal, always terminating a vein, more
or less sunk in the frond ; involucre elongate, tubular or campanu-
late ; the mouth truncated or winged, or slightly 2-lipped. Recep-
tacle filiform, elongated, often considerably exserted beyond the
mouth of the involucre, bearing the capsules chiefly at the base. Cap-
sules sessile, depressed, surrounded by a complete, broad, nearly
transverse ring, bursting vertically.

I.—Fronds small, pendulous, more or less
pubescent with stellate hairs... ... 1. T. lyallii.

II.—Fronds quite glabrous.
Fronds simple, reniform, erect ais
Fronds very delicate, 1-4 in. long, pin-
natifid; rachis winged throughout.
Midrib simple ... 3. T. humile.

Fronds very delicate, 2:5 in, . long, pin-

natifid, rachis only winged above.

i)
4

. reniforme.

Midrib branched... ... 4. T, venosum.
Fronds very delicate, 1-4 in. long, pinnate;
rachis quite free... 5. T. colensoi.

Fronds erect, 4-10 in. long, Tanceolate,
3-4- pinnatifid, ere pale
green : 6. T. strictum.

Fronds erect, 4- 10 in. 1. long, ovate or del-
toid, 3-4 ee subcoriaceous,
dark-green :

|

. rigidum.

1. T. lyallii, Hook.

A small species pendulous from trees and rocks ; rhizome capillary.
Stipes 1-2 in. long, filiform. Fronds 4-2 in. long, suborbicular in
outline, flabellately divided nearly to the base into narrow-linear
segments, which are obtuse and entire or minutely toothed ; midrib.
and margins covered with stellate pubescence. Sori 3 or 4, terminal
on the segments ; involucres obconic, sunk in the frond ; lips ciliated,
not dilated.

Synonym.—Hymenophyllum lyallii, Hook. f.

Distribution.—Confined to New Zealand. In the North Island it
occurs in the district immediately to the north of Auckland, also on
the Great Barrier Island at 2,000 ft. (which Mr. Kirk considers its
northern limit), and is common at the Thames at 2,700 ft. In the

“Gr. Thriz, trichos, a hair ; manos, soft; referring to the delicate texture of
the fronds.

A6 I.—FILICES. [Trichomanes

‘South Island it occurs in many localities on the W. Coast from near
Hokitika to Foveaux Straits, and is reported by Mr. Armstrong as
-occurring sparingly in Canterbury provincial district.

This pretty little fern forms the connecting link between this‘and
the preceding genus, and in the “‘ Handbook to the N.Z. Flora ” was
included in Hymenophyllum.

2. T. reniforme, Forst. (Kidney-fern.)

Rhizome long, rigid, stout and creeping, with the fronds rather
distant from oneanother. Stipes 4-8 in. long, naked, wiry. Fronds
2-4 in. in diam., orbicular-reniform, with a deep basal sinus, dark
green, transparent when young, marginsentire. Sori very numerous,
crowded round the edges of the fronds; involucres tubular or
urceolate ; receptacle stout, much exserted and crowded with capsules.

~ Distribution.—Eastern Australia and the Chatham Islands. In
New Zealand itis common in the North Island from Bay of Islands to
/Wellington, and ranging from sea-level to nearly 3,000 ft. Abundant
‘in the South Island along the whole W. Coast as far as the Bluff, but
‘quite absent in the eastern part of Otago, and very rare from the
Waitaki northwards.

This is one of the most singular ferns known, and is an extremely
beautiful plant. The profusion in which it grows in the damp bush
-of the Sounds of the W. Coast of Otago is remarkable; it covers square
miles of ground, and gives quite a characteristic appearance to the
undergrowth. It is not a difficult fern to cultivate if it gets a sufii-
ciently humid atmosphere, abundance of water to its roots, and rapid
drainage ; and, with those requisites, will thrive in any soil that
-contains a fair share of vegetable mould, and is sufficiently light.
Yet, probably, more failures are made with this, than with any
other fern, by inexperienced cultivators.

3. T. humile, Fors.

Rhizomes capillary, creeping, densely intermatted. Stipes 4-4 in.
long, slender, winged above. Fronds pendulous, very pale, thinly
membranous and nearly transparent, 1-4in. long, 4-lin. broad,
‘2-pinnatifid, lanceolate or linear-oblong in outline; rachis narrowly
winged ; pinne pinnatifid, segments linear, simple or forked ; cost
single in each segment, unbranched. Sori solitary, sunk in the short
lateral segments; involucres urceolate, shortly 2-lipped, mouth
spreading, receptacle more or less exserted.

Synonyms.—T. endlicherianum, Presi.; T. aureum, V. den Bosch ;
‘T. erectum, Brack.

Distribution.—Java and several of the Pacific Islands,

This is stated by Baker to be probably a mere variety of
‘T. pyxidiferum Z., a species found throughout tropical America,
South and West Africa, India, Borneo, and New Caledonia.

Trichomanes] I,—FILICES. 4T

In New Zealand this pretty little fern is rather restricted in its
distribution, though in the “N.Z. Handbook” it is said, on the
authority of Banks and Solander, to be abundant throughout both
islands. It is tolerably common throughout the whole of the North
Island, ascending to 2,000 ft. But it is very sparingly distributed
in the South Island, not occurring—as far as I am aware—to the
south of Banks’ Peninsula, where it is reported by Mr. Armstrong
to be rare.

4, T. venosum, Jr. (PI. I. fig. 8.) x

Rhizome capillary, wide-creeping, most frequently on the trunks ,
of tree-ferns. Stipes 1-2 in. long, capillary, naked. Fronds pendu- -
lous, thinly membranous, shining, pellucid, 2-5 in. long, pinnatifid or *
pinnate below, linear; main rachis broadly winged above, free
below ; pinne linear or linear-oblong, simple or pinnatifid, cuneate
at the base ; costee wavy, with alternate veins on each side. Sori
solitary on each pinna, axillary on the upper margin; involucre
immersed, tubular or urceolate; mouth dilated, shortly 2-lipped ;
receptacle capillary and exserted.

Distribution. —S.E. Australia ‘and Tasmania; also Chatham
Islands. With us this fern is widely distributed, occurring freely in
both N. and §. Islands, and ranging into Stewart Island. It is
probably common wherever there is any extent of moist forest-
covered country.

A form of this has recently been described by Mr. Colenso under
the name of 7. venustula.

5. T. colensoi, Hook. f.

Rhizome capillary, hairy, wide-creeping. Stipes about 1 in. long,
slender, naked. Fronds dark-green, very membranous, 1-4 in. long,
linear-oblong, acuminate, l- or 2-pinnate ; pinnz 5-10 pairs, distant,
ovate or lanceolate-rhomboid, shortly stalked, pinnate below, pin-
natifid above ; segments narrow-linear acute ; coste single in each
segment, not branched. Sori solitary, at the base of the segments,
the tube of the involucre stalked, cylindric, mouth scarcely dilated ;
receptacle very slender, exserted.

This species is confined to New Zealand, and is by no means
common. It was first found by Mr. Colenso at L. Waikare, and
occurs sparingly in the southern portions of the N. Island. In the
8. Island it has been recorded from Nelson, Okarita, Lake Wanaka,
and Banks’ Peninsula, and probably is to be found at other localities
within the same areas.

6. T. strictum, Menzies.

A very tufted species, sending up numerous fronds from its short,
stout rhizome. Stipes 3-4 in. long, stout, terete, very slightly
winged above or quite naked, but with red-brown bristles at the
base. Fronds erect, rather rigid, membranous, pale-green, 4-8 in.

48 1,—FILICES. [Trichomanes

long, lanceolate or linear-oblong, 3-4-pinnatifid or almost quite pin-
nate; main rachis very narrowly winged ; pinne crowded, broadly
lanceolate, ascending or recurved, 2-3-pinnatifid ; ultimate segments
narrow-linear. Sori few, at the base of the upper side of the pin-
nules ; involucres funnel-shaped, erect, free, shortly stalked ; recep-
tacle more or less exserted.

Synonyms.—T. leptophyllum, A. Cunn. ; T. cunninghamii, V. den
Bosch.

Distribution.—Confined to New Zealand, and by no means a
common species. In the North Island it occurs at a good many
localities; ¢.g., Hokianga, Auckland district, Pirongia, Tauranga,
and the Thames, and ascends to about 2,700 ft. In the South Island

it ranges from Nelson down the W. Coast to Dusky Bay, but is.
never generally distributed.

7. T. rigidum, Swartz; var. elongatum, 4. Cunn.

A dark-green tufted species, with numerous rigid fronds
ascending from a short, woody, horizontal rhizome. Stipes 2-8 in.
long, stout, wiry, naked or very slightly winged above, sparingly
hairy at the base. Fronds slightly coriaceous, very dark, 4-10 in.
long, deltoid or ovate, acuminate, 3- or 4-pinnatifid or quite 2-pin-
nate, the main rachis being hardly winged; pinne crowded, imbri-
cate, ovate or oblong-cuneate ; pinnules deeply pinnatifid ; ultimate
segments broad, entire or toothed at the apices. Sori very numerous,
axillary ; involucres cylindric, mouth slightly dilated and 2-lipped;
receptacle long, rigid, exserted.

Synonyms.—Very many names have been given to this species
from other parts of the world, but as these have not been used in
connection with the New Zealand form, it is quite unnecessary to
detail them.

Distribution.—A very wide-ranging species, occurring throughout
tropical America, 8. Africa and many of its islands, Southern India
and Ceylon, China, Japan, Malay Peninsula, and many of the Poly-
nesian Islands.

It appears to prefer deep, dark woods, and is said in the “ Hand-
book to the N.Z. Flora ”—on the authority of Banks and Solander—
to be abundant throughout both islands. It is common in the North
Island, particularly in the northern portion of it, and ascends to
1,500 ft. In the South Island, however, itis rare, and does not
occur, as far as I am aware, to the south of Banks’ Peninsula.

Gexus IX.—DAVALLIA,* Smith, (Pl. I. fig. 9.)

Rhizome wide-creeping, and more or less scaly. Frond compound,
subcoriaceous in texture, veins always free. Sori oblong or globose,
on or near the margin. Involucre coriaceous, terminal on the veins,

* In honour of a Swiss botanist, Edmd. Davall.

Davailia] I.—FILICES. 49

attached by a broad base, the apex always and the sides often free.
Capsules stalked, with a dorsal striate ring.

Fronds 3-pinnate. Sori on the teeth

of thesegments... ... ... ... 1. D. nove-zeelandie.
Fronds 4-pinnate. Sori minute,
terminal ... ... oe 622. Dif i.
Qvale, Ake hid at Ph OWLS oo Binders
3-4 fern ate ao -

1. D. novee-zeelandize, Colenso. (PII fig. 9.)

Rhizome creeping, stout, covered with yellowish-brown filiform
scales. Stipes 3-8 in. long, firm, erect, red-brown and glossy, quite
glabrous or slightly hairy below. Fronds 6-18 in. long, 4-8 broad
(sometimes 4 ft. long and 14 ft. broad in very robust specimens),
tri-pinnate, deltoid, ovate or oblong, acuminate, cut to the rachis—
except towards the apex—into oblong-lanceolate segments, which are
deeply pinnatifid ; ultimate segments linear, acute. Sori numerous
on the teeth of the segments; involucre orbicular, open at the apex
and sides.

Synonym.—Acrophorus hispidus, J/oore.

Distribution.—Confined to New Zealand, where it has a very wide
range—from the Bay of Islands to Foveaux Straits. This is a very
handsome fern, of a most elegant and delicate appearance, and it
is one which grows readily under cultivation, requiring only a shady
nook and a moderate supply of water. In the North Island, and
particularly in the more humid parts, it attains very, large propor-
tions, and is a magnificent plant. Its nearest ally in the genus is
D. pulchra, « North Indian species.

2. D. forsteri, Carruthers.

“Stipes 6-8 in. long, naked, stramineous. Fronds 6 in. long,
rhomboid, 4-pinnate; pinnse and pinnules ascending, rhomboid,
stalked, the lowest the largest, cuneate-truncate on lower side at base;
final segments ligulate-cuneate, 2-4 lines long, under 4 line broad,
texture subcoriaceous, surfaces naked. Sori minute, terminal, with
lamina produced on both sides as a border.”

Synonym.—Adiantum clavatum, Porst.

This fern is probably more “ wanted ” by fern-collectors in New
Zealand than any other. It was gathered by Forster at Dusky Sound,.
in the §.W. of Otago, about the year 1772, during Cook’s second
voyage to these islands, and from the specimens then preserved the
above description was drawn up. It has apparently never been
collected again. It belongs to a totally different section of the genus
from D. nove-zelandie, and is most nearly allied to D. scoparia, a
species from New Caledonia.

TP ae a

50 1,—FILICES. [Cystopteris

Genus X.—_CYSTOPTERIS,* Bernhardi. (PI. IL. fig. 1.)

Rhizome short, creeping, or suberect under the surface. Fronds
small, tufted, pinnate or 2-pinnate, thin in texture, veins free. Sori
globose, small, inserted on the back of the veins, distant from the
margin. Involucre membranaceous, suborbicular, attached by a
broad base under the sorus, and at first covering it like a hood.
Capsules pedicelled, with a dorsal striate ring.

1. C. fragilis, Bernhardt. (Bladder-fern.)

Stipes 2-4 in. long, slender, brittle, glabrous. Fronds 3-8 in. long,
14-2 in. broad, oblong- or ovate lanceolate, or l- or 2-pinnate ; main
rachis slightly winged above ; primary pinne rather remote, lanceo-
late- or ovate-deltoid ; pinnules oblong-rhomboid, cut down to a
broad central space into bluntly or sharply-toothed lobes.

Synonym.—C. novee-zelandie, J. B. Armstrong.

Distribution.—Found in all parts of both N. and S. temperate
zones and in mountains in the intermediate tropical zones. Occurs
in Britain.

By no means a common fern in New Zealand, and very local in its
occurrence. Except on the ranges near Mt. Egmont, I am not
aware that it has been gathered in the North Island. In the South
Island it occurs along the whole of the mountain ranges from
Nelson to Foveaux Straits, and also on Banks’ Peninsula, at eleva-
tions usually of 1,000-4,000 ft. It is quite a subalpine plant, and is
to be sought for in dry open ground, and particularly among the
clefts of rocks and stones. The typical European form is larger and
more robust than ours, with usually more divided leaves, and a more
persistent involucre.

Genus XI.—_LINDSAYA,t Dryander. (PI. II. fig. 2.)

Rhizome creeping or tufted. Fronds usually compound, coriaceous ;
‘veins free. Sori linear along the margin or near and parallel with
it. Involucre double, opening outwards, the inner valve mem-
branous, the outer formed of the more or less changed margin of the
frond.
Fronds pinnate, linear; ae uni-
lateral ... 2. 1. 2... 1. ZL, linearis.
Fronds 2- or 3-pinnate ; pinne equi-
lateral.
Fronds lanceolate, membranous ;
pinne alternate, veins usually
simple ... ... 0. .. .. 2. L. viridis,
Fronds broadly-ovate, coriaceous ;
pinne opposite, veins branched 3. L. trichomanoides,

* Gr. Cystos, a bladder, from the inflated involucre,
+ In honour of Dr. Lindsay, a cryptogamic botanist of Jamaica.

Lindsaya] {, —FILICES. 51

1. L. linearis, Swartz. (Pl. II. fig. 2, a and 0.)

Rhizome wiry, creeping, and scaly. Stipes 4-8 in. long, wiry,
flexuous, black or purplish, shining. Fronds 6-18 in. long, very
narrow, linear, simply pinnate, rather coriaceous, bright-green ;
pinne distant, }in. long, more or less one-sided, cuneate or flabellate,
toothed chiefly along the upper edge. Sori in a continuous line along
the upper edge.

Distribution. Australia, Tasmania and New Caledonia ; also,
eastward to the Chatham Islands.

In New Zealand the range of this fern is from North Cape
to Stewart Island, but it is not an abundant fern everywhere, being‘
rather local im its occurrence. It is to be found on stony and rocky
ground, often in open, swampy country. In Canterbury and Otago
it is rather rare, but reappears abundantly in a somewhat depau-
perated condition in Stewart Island, where it grows in cold, wet, and
spongy peat mosses.

Though growing often in such unattractive-looking spots, and
proving itself quite a hardy species in a state of nature, this fern is
a most troublesome one to cultivate—and the remark apparently
applies to all the species we have. When transplanted from its
original habitat, the plant almost invariably fades away, and fails to
put forth new fronds.

2. L. viridis, Colenso. (Pl. II. fig. 2.)

Rhizome short, with tufted fronds. Stipes 1-3 in. long, 3-gonous,
shining, naked except at the base, where it is furnished with a tuft
of linear brown scales. Fronds 6-12 in. long, lanceolate, acuminate,
bright-green, membranous, 2- or 3-pinnate; main rachis flexuous ;
pinne alternate, ascending, 1-14 in. long, obliquely- or rhomboid-
lanceolate ; pinnules simple, lobed or cut to the base into 2-4 linear
cuneate segments ; veins obscure, usually simple. Sori narrow.

Distribution.—Confined to New Zealand, where, however, itis ie
rare and very local. The following localities are given on the
authority of Mr. T. Kirk, to whom our botanists are much indebted
for the unravelling of the confusion which had arisen about this
species:—WV. Island: Port Fitzroy, Great Barrier Island, plentiful
about waterfalls; Manukau, Te Whau, Mangarewa, Wanganui River.
S. Island: Massacre Bay, Hokitika, West Coast of Otago. The
habitat of this fern is always characteristic ; it only occurs on rocks,
in humid situations, and particularly where it can receive a con-
tinuous drip.

In the “Synopsis Filicum,” L. microphylla, Swartz, is said to occur
in New Zealand. It is, however, solely an Australian species. The
misconception arose from L. viridis having been first placed as a
variety or form of L. trichomanoides by Sir W. Hooker, but after-
wards separated from it and united to L. microphylla by Mr. Baker,
under which name it appears in both editions of the “Synopsis.”

52 1.—FILICES. [Lindsaya

8. L. trichomanoides, Dryander.

Rhizome creeping, chaffy. Stipes 3-6in. long, wiry, polished,
3-gonous, scaly at the base. Fronds 4-8 in. long, 2-3 in. broad, ovate-
oblong or broadly ovate, rather coriaceous, 2- or 3-pinnate; pinne
opposite, 2-3 in. long, lanceolate ; pinnules cuneate, lobed on the upper
edge ; veins obscure, flabellate. Sori continuous on the margin.

Var. lessonnii (L. lessonnii, Bory.) Fronds simply pinnate, or
2-pinnate below ; pinne linear, or oblong-lanceolate, usually lobed.

4, Distribution —Tasmania, N. 8. Wales, and Fiji.

y In New Zealand this fern has as wide a distribution as the
preceding species, but is not nearly so local. It is, however, much
commoner in the N. Island, where it ranges from the Bay of
Islands to Wellington, than in the South Island. It occurs in many
localities along the West Coast, but is very local throughout Otago.
Var. lessonnit is apparently confined to the North Island. This
species is always confined to woods and shady places.

Genus XIL—ADIANTUM,* LZ. (Maidenhair.) (PI. II. fig. 3.)

Rhizome tufted or creeping. Fronds usually compound, 2-4-
pinnate; pinnules on slender stalks; veins usually forked. Sori
rounded or oblong, marginal, usually numerous and distinct ;
involucre formed of the reflexed, often reniform, coriaceous margins
of the frond, opening inwards ; surface veined.

I.—Fronds once or more pinnate.
* Pinnules dimidiate ; rachis naked, polished.
Pinnules dark-green, membranous,
sparsely hairy. Sori few, obreni-
form, in the sinuses of the crenate
MALLING ee ae eas,
Pinnules subcoriaceous, glabrous, glauc-
ous. Sori numerous, roundish, in
small hollows on the lobules or
teeth of the margins ... ... ... 2. A. affine.
** Pinnules dimidiate ; rachis pubescent.
Fronds 3- or 4-pinnate or decompound.
Pinnules small, subcoriaceous.
Sorismall, rather elongate .... ... 3. A. formosum.
Fronds 2- or 3-pinnate. Pinnules large,
herbaceous. Sorilarge, obreniform 4. A. fulvum.
***® Pinnules flabellate, cuncate.
Sori obreniform, in several roundish or
transversely oblong patches .. 5, A. ethiopicum.

II.—Fronds not pinnately branched, but
dichotomously forked.
Rachis and fronds more or less hispid 6. A. hispidulum.

1. A. diaphanum.

* Gr. Adiantos, dry, from the leaves always throwing off water.

Adiantum) I.——FILICES. 53

1. A. diaphanum’ Blume.

Stipes 4-8 in. long, slender, erect, blackish, polished. Fronds 4-3
in. long, 1 in. broad, simply: pinnate or with 1 to 3 branches at the
base, which are sometimes nearly as large as the terminal one ;
pinnules shortly stalked, 4-3 in. long, 1-4} in. deep, the lower margin
vather decurved, the upper one nearly parallel with it and crenate
like the rounded outer margin, dark-green and membranous, with a
few scattered hairs on the upper surface. Sori rather distant from
each other, obreniform, placed in the sinuses of the upper and outer
margin.

Synonyms.-—A. affine, Hook. (not Willd.); A. setulosum, J. Smath ;
A. trapeziforme, Fort. Wi

Distribution.—8.E. China, Java, New Caledonia, Aneitum, Fijiy
Norfolk Island, N. 8. Wales.

Not uncommon throughout New Zealand, but rather local in its
occurrence. It is rather rare in the southern portion of the South
Island. According to Mr. Kirk, it is chietly to be found in alluvial
situations.

It is an easily-cultivated plant, as, indeed, are most ferns of this
beautiful genus. In transplanting, care must be taken not to injure
the extremities of the slender rhizomes, as it is from these that new
fronds spring up.

Considerable confusion has crept into the nomenclature of the New
Zealand Maidenhairs, owing to the misappropriation of specitic
names. This is the second species described in the ‘ Handbook Fl.
N.Z.,” under the name 4. affine, whereas the following species here
is the true A. affine of Willdenow, but is described in the ‘“ Hand-
book” as 5, A. cunninghamii.

2. A. affine, Willd.

Rhizome creeping, scaly. Stipes 6-10 in. long, erect, polished,
black and glossy. Fronds sparingly and irregularly branched, ter-
minal central pinna 4-6 in. long, lateral small, erecto-patent, lowest
again branched; pinnules few, 4-} in. long, } in. broad, subcoria-
ceous, glossy and glaucous, dimidiate, lower edge straight, upper
nearly parallel with it, crenate, as is the round or oblique outer
margin. Sori numerous, rather small, placed in small hollows round
the upper and outer margins ; involucres obreniform or sub-
orbicular.

Synonyms.—A. cunninghamii, Hook.; A. formosum, A. Rich., not
&. Br., which is the next species.

4
Distribution.—Contined to New Zealand and Chatham Islands. eo,
The range of this species is very wide—from N. Cape to Otago ;
it seems to prefer localities near the sea, and is common in lowland
districts of both islands.
It is the easiest of the genus to cultivate, and is a very hardy
fern.

54 I.—FILICES. [Adiantum

3. A. formosum, Br.

Stipes 12-18 in. long, stout, erect, scabrid, blackish. Fronds 18-24
in. long, 12-18 in. broad, deltoid, 3- or 4-pinnate, primary branches
remote; rachis flexuous, pubescent above, shining and glabrous below;
pinnules 44 in. long, subcoriaceous, glabrous, oblong, rounded or
oblique, cuneate at the base, more or less lobed, the lower ones
stalked. Sori numerous, rather small, placed on the lobes or teeth
of the pinnules ; involucres rather elongate, narrow, between obreni-
form and transversely oblong.

Distribution.—Temperate Australia.

In New Zealand this species is confined to the North Island,
where it seems to be very local. It occurs in the Kaipara and
Wangarei districts in the far north, and also between the Wairarapa
and Manawatu rivers.

4. A. fulvum, Raoul.

Stipes 6-9 in. long, strong, erect, polished, blackish-brown, scabrous
below, with rough hairs. Fronds 9-18 in. long, 6-8 in. broad, olive-
green, ovate-deltoid; rachis scabrous and rather hairy, glossy ;
terminal pinna 4-6 in. long, about 14 in, broad ; lateral pinne erecto-
patent, lower branched again ; pinnules rather coriaceous, } in. long,
+ in. broad, dimidiate, lower margin nearly straight, upper almost
parallel, and with sharply-toothed lobes, like the oblique outer
margin. Sori large, numerous, placed in small depressions round
the upper and outer margins ; involucres obreniform.

.) Distribution—New South Wales, Norfolk Island, and Fiji.

~“Oéeturring in woods in both islands at low-lying elevations. It is
inost common in the northern part of the North Island, but extends
to the middle of the South Island, where it becomes local. I am not
aware of its having been found to the south of Banks’ Peninsula.

5. A. ethiopicum, Z. (PI. IL fig. 3.)

Rhizome tufted. Stipes 4-9 in. long, very slender, erect, blackish-
brown, glabrous and polished, as is the very slender flexuous rachis.
Fronds 9-18 in. long, 4-9 in. broad, usually deltoid in outline, 3- or 4-
pinnate ; lower pinnules deltoid; most of them suborbicular, 4-4 in,
broad, base cuneate, rounded or nearly straight, upper margin with
broad, shallow lobes, flaccid and thinly-membranous in texture, pale-
green. Sori 2-6, rather large, in the hollows of the upper margin ;
involucres obreniform or transversely oblong.

Synonyms.—A. assimile, Swartz ; A. trigonum, Labdill. ; A. emar-
ginatum, Bory. ; A. thalictroides, Willd. ; A. crenatum, Poir.

Distribution.—Throughout many tropical regions :—In Africa, from
the Cameroons on the W., and Abyssinia on the E., to the Cape
colony ; also in Bourbon and Madagascar; Southern Islands; in
America, from Texas and California to Chili and Monte Video ;
temperate and tropical Australia ; Tasmania.

«

Adiantum] I.—FILICES. 55

Similar in distribution to the last species, occurring commonly in
the North Island, but becoming rare as we come south. It is found
as far south as Banks’ Peninsula, but is very rare in that locality.
It is not found in any part of Otago.

A favourite species with fern-cultivators, as it shows to great
advantage as a pot-plant, and is easily grown.

6. A. hispidulum, Swartz.

Stipes 6-15 in. long, stout, erect, dark-brown, polished, scabrous.
Fronds dichotomous, with the main divisions branched flabellately,
often 2-partite ; rachis and surfaces of the pinnules hispid; pinne
6-9 in. tong: 4-1 in. broad; pinnules subcoriaceous, olive-green,
dimidiate, 4-} long, 4-4 in. broad, subrhomboidal, rather broader on
the side next the stem, outer and upper margins "rounded or oblique,
and finely toothed. Sori numerous, almost contiguous in the notches
of the upper and outer margins; involucres suborbicular.

Synonyms.—A. pedatum, Forst. (not Linneus); A. pubescens,
Schkuhr. Movi

Distribution.—Widespread in the tropical regions of the old
world, occurring in Africa on the banks of the R. Niger, and on the
Zambesi, also in Bourbon and Mauritius; again in Southern India
and Ceylon, several of the Pacific Islands, and in N. 8. Wales; also
in the Chatham Islands.

Common in the North Island of New Zealand, from N. Cape to
Cook Straits. It is said by Mr. Armstrong to occur in Banks’
Peninsula and the Midland district of Canterbury, but no other
collector appears to have found it in these localities.

Gexus XIIL.—_HYPOLEPIS,* Bernhardi. (Pl. II. fig. 4.)

Rhizome wide-creeping. Fronds ample, 2- to 4-pinnate, often with
glandular hairs. Sori small, subglobose, marginal, uniform, distinct,
placed usually in the sinuses of the ultimate segments of the frond ;
involucre spurious, formed of the reflexed margin, the teeth of w hich
are curved inwards over the sori.

Rhizome scaly. Fronds 2-5 ft. high, 3-
or 4-pinnate, ae hairy and

glandular... 1. H. tenuifolia.
Rhizome scaly and acale Tous 6- 18
in. high, 2-pinnate, glabrous ... 2. H, distans.

Rhizome naked. Fronds 6-18 in. high,
3- or 4-pinnate, slightly hairy
below, ultimate segments sharply
toothed ... ... 4. 1.) )602 millefolium.

* Gr., Hypo, under ; lepis, a scale, from the spurious membranous invelucres,

56 I.—FILICES. [Lypolepis

1. H. tenuifolia, Bernhardi.

Rhizome stout, scaly. Stipes 1-2 ft. high, stout, erect, brown,
scabrid, naked, or pubescent. Fronds herbaceous, 2-5 ft. long, 1-2 ft.
deltoid, 3- or 4-pinnate ; rachis tomentose ; lower pinne 12-18 in.
long, 6-9 in. broad, ovate-acuminate ; pinnules lanceolate ; secondary
pinnules 1-14 in. long, cohen pinnatifid ; segments linear-oblong,
obtuse, toothed ; sori 2-6 on the ultimate segments, placed at the
sinuses of the tect,

Hook. ; H. pallida, Hook. ; Cheilanthes
ambigua, A. Rich ; C. arborescens, Swart ; C. pellucida, Colenso ;
Lonchitis tenuifolia, Forst.

Distribution.—Australia, Tasmania, Java, Norfolk Island, and
many of the Polynesian Islands. Also in the Chatham Islands.
Ranging widely in New Zealand from N. Cape to Foveaux Straits,
and on the whole a very common fern. In Otago it is rather local.
This fern is chiefly to be found at the edge of the bush, and springs
up readily in bush clearings. It is very closely allied to Polypodium
rugulosum, and some forms are quite undistinguishable froin that
fern. Hypolepis only differs from Polypodiwm (which has naked
sori) in having the spurious involucre covering its sori, which are
placed—not on the veins—but in the sinuses of the margins of the
frond.

2. H. distans, Hook. (PI. II. fig. 4a.)

Rhizome woolly, and covered with scaly brown hairs. Stipes 6-12
in zalus slender, flexuous, chestnut-brown, slightly rough. Fronds
,in. long, 4-5 in. broad, ovate- lanceolate, 2-pinnate ; pinnze
ae distant, spreading at right angles with the rachis, lanceolate,
2-3 in. long, 4 in. broad; rachis scabrous ; pinnules } in. long,
varying from oblong to deltoid, obtuse, pinnatifid, glabrous and
herbaceous. Sori very small, 2-4 to a pinnule, placed in the lower
sinuses.

«#“T)istribution.—Confined to the Chatham Islands and New Zealand,

‘ where, however, it is found throughout all open country at low
elevations. It is to be looked for at the edges of the bush and in
sheltered localities ; but, like the others of the genus, requires plenty
of air and light, and is not found in the forest districts. Though
wide-spread, it is very local in its occurrence, passing frequently into
Polypodium rugulosum, and not to be distinguished in some of its
forms from that species.

8. H. millefolium, Hook. (PI.II. fig. 4.)

Rhizome stout, naked, except at the junction of the stipes, where
-there are a few scaly hairs. Stipes 4-6 in. long, erect, pale-coloured,
naked, or with a few hairs or scabrous points. Fronds 6-18 in. long,
4-8 in. broad, broadly ovate or deltoid, 3-pinnate; lower pinne
erecto-patent, 4-6 in. long, 1-2 in. broad, ovate or lanceolate ;

Hypolepis| I,—FILICES. 57

pinnules } in. long, ovate; secondary pinnules deeply cut in several
small sharply-toothed lobes; coste and under surtace of the frond
slightly hairy. Sori small, roundish, on the lobes of the pinnules,
usually solitary on the lobes.

Disiribution.—Confined to New Zealand, where it is wide-spread,
frequenting open and hilly ground, often up to considerable eleva-
tions. In the North Island it is local, having been gathered on the
Ruahine Mountains and at Wangarei in the far north.

In the South Island it is common along the whole eastern side of
the main ranges, but is very local on the west.

This is a hardy fern, and thrives very readily under cultivation.
Its fronds—like those of several species of Pteris, kc.—are cut down
every winter, and come up fresh and green in the spring.

Genus XIV.-CHEILANTHHS,* Swartz. (Pl. II. fig. 5.)

Rhizome stout, short and scaly. Fronds rather small, seldom
exceeding 1 ft. in height, tufted, rigid, erect, 2- or 3-pinnatifid,
veins all free. Sori at first small, subglobose, terminal or nearly so
on the veins, afterwards more or less confluent. Involucres formed
trom the reflexed margin of the fronds, not quite continuous.

Fronds deltoid; pinnules 3-1 in. long,

ascending ves eee ues ee vee) LC. tenuifolia.
Fronds oblong-lanceolate; pinnules }-}in.
WONG icy ais ae ees Oe nes, ce) 12a Ch slebert,

1. C. tenuifolia, Swartz.

Rhizome covered with silky scales. Stipes tufted, 4-8 in. long,
erect, wiry, flexuous, purplish-black, polished, slightly hairy below.
Fronds 4-8 in. long, 3-4 in. broad, deltoid, 3-pinnatifid; rachis
narrowly winged above, or naked, polished; pinne in 6-12 nearly
opposite or alternate pairs, ascending at an acute angle with the
rachis, the lowest 2-4 in. long, 1-2 in. broad, deltoid; pinnules
deltoid or oblong, cut down to the rachis into deltoid or oblong,
entire or irregularly lobed segments. Sori often continuous, cover-
ing the back of the pinnule and projecting beyond its margin ;
involucres more or less toothed.

Distribution.— Throughout India, §.E. China, Malay Peninsula
and Archipelago, Polynesia, Australia, Tasmania and Uruguay
(8. America).

Rare in New Zealand, having been collected only in the Hawke’s
Bay district in the North Island; and at Lyttelton Harbour, Banks’
Peninsula, Lake Hawea and mountains about Queenstown in the
South Island.

* Gr. Cheilos, a lip; anthos, a flower, from the fructification on the margins
of the frond.

58 I.—FILICES. [Cheilanthes:

2. C. sieberi,. Kunze.

Stipes densely tufted, 2-6 in. long, erect, wiry, polished, dark-
brown, slightly hairy at the base. Fronds 3-9 in. long, 3-14 in.
broad, narrow oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, 3-pinnatifid ; rachis.
wiry, naked, polished; pinnz in 3-15 opposite pairs, lower pairs
distant, #-14 in. long, 2-4 in. broad, broadly deltoid; pinnules
oblong-deltoid, pinnate at the base; segments entire, lobed or
crenate. Sori rarely continuous, and never projecting beyond the-
margin of the pinnule; involucres small, roundish, not apparently
toothed.

Synonym.—C. preissiana, Kunze.

Distribution.—Australia, New Caledonia, Isle of Pines.

Tolerably common in New Zealand, usually growing in rocky and
stony ground, and very frequently close to the sea. In the North
Island it is quite characteristic of the volcanic districts about
Auckland, where it grows plentifully on the dry scoria rocks ; it
extends to the N. Cape, but is rare at the Thames.

In the South Island it is also tolerably common throughout Otago.
and Canterbury.

In the “ Handbook of the N.Z. Flora,” this and the preceding
species are mixed together under the name C. tenuifolia, var. siebert.
Both species thrive well and easily under cultivation, preferring a
bright airy spot to grow in and stony well-drained soil, but—as Mr.
Potts remarks—they have usually a very shabby and scrubby
appearance from the extreme persistence of the withered fronds.
In the fernery these can easily be cut—not torn—away, when the
plants present a very trim, neat appearance.

Genus XV.—PELLZHA,* Link. (Pl. II. fig. 6.)

Fronds pinnate (in the N. Z. species), tufted, coriaceous, dark-
green; veins forked, free, very obscure. Sori continuous round the
edge of the pinnules; involucre more or less membranous, very
narrow, quite continuous, formed of the more or less changed
margin of the frond.

Pinnz lanceolate, more or less falcate,
ACULE aie sae ave aay aes oar dy Bifaleate,

Pinne oblong or rounded, obtuse or
mucronate ... ... .. .. «. 2 P. rotundifolia.

1. P. falcata, Fé.

Rhizome scaly, wide-creeping, short, wiry. Stipes 3-6 in. long,
strong, erect, nearly black, more or less hispid. Fronds 6 in.-3 ft.
long, 1-2 in. broad, narrow-linear; rachis densely scaly and
tomentose ; pinnz 10 to 20 on each side, 4-14 in. long, }-4 in. broad,

* Gr. Pellos, dark coloured, from the colour of the fronds.

Pellea] I.—FILICES. 59

linear- or oblong-lanceolate, more or less falcate, acute or mucronate,
broadly obliquely cuneate or cordate at the base, coriaceous and
glabrous. Sori in broad marginal lines, soon hiding the narrow
involucre.

Synonym.—Platyloma falcata, J. Sm.

Distribution.—India, Malay Peninsula, Australia, Tasmania, and
Kermadec Islands. 72s

Rather a rare fern in New Zealand, occurring in the North Island 7
in various spots from the Thames to the Bay of Islands, and in the
South Island only recorded from Dun Mountain near Nelson.
According to Mr. Potts, to whom we are indebted for the last
locality, this plant is particularly easy of cultivation, and is most
readily propagated from the wide-creeping rhizome.

2. P. rotundifolia, Hook. (Pl II. fig. 6.)

Rhizome shortly creeping, stout, scaly. Stipes 6-12 in. long, stout,
erect, hispid and more or less covered with linear, chaffy scales.
Fronds tufted, 6-12in. long, 1-l}in. broad, narrow-linear ; rachis
scaly and tomentose; pinnze in 10-20 pairs, oblong or rounded,
obtuse or mucronate, rounded or obliquely truncate at the base,
coriaceous, glabrous. Sori in a broad marginal—often interrupted—
line, soon hiding the involucre.

Synonym.—Platyloma rotundifolia, J. Sm.

Distribution. —Norfolk and Chatham Islands. Tua.

Very generally distributed throughout both islands, from N. Cape”
to Foveaux Straits, though rare in the moist forest regions of the
West Coast. Though rather fond of shade, this fern seems to prefer
dry rocky soil; it is a very free grower under cultivation, and readily
repays any attention it receives in its increased luxuriance. Inter-
mediates occur frequently between this and the preceding species,
and though the typical forms are distinct and casily separated, these
intermediates are often very puzzling.

Genus XVI—PTERIS,* Z. (Pl. Il. fig. 7.)

Rhizome usually creeping. Fronds very various, mostly tall and
very compound ; veins forked, free or netted. Sori linear, continuous
along the margin of the frond; involucres slender, filiform, usually
membranous, at first covering the sorus, at length more spreading.

I—Veins forked, free.

Fronds more or less tufted, tall, 2- or

3-pinnate; lower pinne usually

very compound ; membranous and
glabrous is wee ee one ae Ly Ph tremula,

* Gr. Pteron, a wing, from its pinne ; the typical name now for all ferns.

60 I.—FILICES. [Pteris

Rhizome subterranean. Fronds solitary,
tall, 3-4-pinnate, rigid; pinnules
linear, decurrent; glabrous or pu-
bescent se

Lo

. P. aquilina,

Rhizome usually above-ground, hairy.
Fronds 1-2 ft. high, rigid, more or
less scabrous; ultimate segments
minute ...0 1... 1. oo. vee ss 3. P. scaberula.

IL.—Veins netted.

Fronds 2-4-pinnate, membranous ; pin-
nules stalked, deltoid, deeply lobed ;

lobes coarsely-toothed ... ... 4. P. macilenta

Fronds 2- or 3-pinnate, membranous ;
pinnules sessile and decurrent,
shortly lobed ; lobes toothed at the

apex P. comans.

or

Fronds pinnate or 2- or 3-pinnate, sub-
coriaceous, glaucous below; pin-
nules broad, adnate or decurrent on
the rachis ; margins usually entire 6. P. incisa.

1. P. tremula, Br.

Stipes more or less tufted, 1-2 ft. long, strong, erect, polished.
Fronds 2-4 ft. long, membranous, deltoid in outline ; rachis smooth ;
lower pinne 1 ft. or more long, and often bipinnate ; upper pinne
pinnate, segments linear-oblong, obtuse, fertile usually entire ; apices
of frond and pinne pinnatifid, with numerous obliquely-decurrent
lobes; veins sunk. Sori copious, sometimes filling up the whole
segment, except the costa.

* Synonyms.—P. atiinis, A. rich. ; P. tenuis, A. cunn.

Distribution.—Australia, Tasmania, and Norfolk Island. Closely
allied to P. chilensis, a species occurring in Peru, Chili, and Juan
Fernandez.

A common fern throughout the North Island, where it ascends to
3,000 ft. Rare in the South Island, and not found south of Banks’
Peninsula.

In cultivation this fern thrives best in sheltered, somewhat shady
spots, requiring a considerable depth of rich light soil, containing a
large proportion of vegetable mould. It is rather delicate in the
southern parts of the South Island.

‘ apatehe a Cera Se

2. P. aquilina, Z. var. esculenta (Brake or Bracken).

Rhizome thick and creeping, subterranean. Stipes 1 ft. long or
more, strong, erect, pale, shining, glabrous. Fronds from 1 or 2 ft.
high, up to 10 ft., deltoid in outline, usually 3-pinnate, coriaceous;
primary pinne distant, lowest pair largest and most compound ;

Pieris] I.—FILICES. 61

uppermost pinne simple; pinnules numerous, lanceolate, deeply
pinnatifid or pinnate, ending in a linear, entire, obtuse segment,
lateral segments linear, suddenly decurrent on the rachis, which,
together with the surface, is either glabrous or pubescent. Sori
continuous.

Synonym.—P. esculenta, Forst.

4 Distribution.—The local variety of this fern is confined to, but is.
everywhere distributed over, the south temperate zone; the typical
form of the species being found over all other parts of the world.

« In New Zealand it is the commonest fern to be found, occurring in
all parts, including the outlying groups of islands, and ranging from
sea-level to 4,000 ft. or more. It still covers thousands of acres of
land in both islands, but attains its greatest dimensions in the North
“Island, where the roasted and pounded rhizomes are still eaten by
the Maoris, under the name of fot, when better fare is not forth-
coming. _In the Andes this same species has been seen 14 ft. in

height. Pxsiicel Bru bra Bergrtal a Iv: rth ers fee Cn Alisher,

Though so common that probably few would be inclined to intro-
duce this fern into cultivation, it is worthy of remark that it isa
most difficult species to re-establish if once it has been lifted from the
soil ; in this respect resembling species of Lindsaya and Schizea.

3. P. scaberula, A. Rich.

Rhizome wide-creeping, often above ground, stout and more or .

less hairy and scaly. Stipes 6-12 in. long, strong, reddish-yellow,
scabrous. Fronds 12-18 in. high, lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate,
yellowish-green, coriaceous, 2- or 3-pinnate; lower pinne 4-9 in.

long, lanceslate, pinnules cut into very numerous oblong-toothed -

segments }-} in. long; rachis often flexuous, scabrous. Sori usually
covering the whole segment.

ee Distribution.—Confined to New Zealand and Chatham Islands.
This is a very common and ‘hardy species. According to the

#

,

“Handbook of the N.Z. Flora” it is stated on the authority of Banks. -

and Solander to occur generally in woods, but it will most frequently
be found in exposed, and frequently very dry situations. It ranges
from N. Cape to Stewart Island.

It is the most easily cultivated of our New Zealand species of
Pieris, and when once well established in a suitable spot, is apt to
become too rampant. It is not too particular about soil—some of
the best specimens I have ever gathered having been obtained on a
dry clay bank, quite destitute of mould.

4. P. macilenta, 4. Cunn. (Pl. II. fig. 7.)

Stipes 6-18 in. long, rather slender, smooth, shining, pale-coloured,
as are the rachis and coste. Fronds pale-green, membranous and

flaccid, 1-5 ft. high, broadly deltoid, 2-4-pinnate ; terminal pinna -

cut nearly to the rachis into numerous oblong-toothed lobes ; lowest.

62 I,—FILICES. [Pteris

pinne 1 ft. long or more, very compound ; pinnules stalked, deltoid,
cut into ovate-oblong segments, which are deeply coarsely toothed,
especially towards the tips, veins netted only slightly. Sori in the
notches, not reaching the point of the segments.

Distribution.—Rather common throughout the North Island of
New Zealand: The only localities in the South Island in which it
has been obtained are in the Grey Valley, W. Coast, where it was
gathered—about 3 miles above Greymouth—by Prof. J. von
Haast, and on Banks’ Peninsula.

It grows readily in cultivation, but in the South Island—at least
in the southern part—it requires protection. It is one of the most
beautiful and delicate species of the genus.

5. P. comans, forst. 4
and ¢

Stipes 1 ft. or more long, glabrous, polished, as are the rachis
coste. Fronds bright-green, membranous and flaccid, 1-5 ft. high,
deltoid, 2-pinnate, terminal pinna very long, cut nearly to the base
into linear-oblong, toothed or lobed segments, which are decurrent at
the base ; lateral pinne ovate-lanceolate, lowest 1 ft. or more long,
often compound at the base; pinnules sessile, rarely stalked, usually
adnate and decurrent, }-14 in. long, linear or linear-oblong, more or
less lobed, serrate at the tips; veins netted throughout. Sori
falling short of the apex of the segments.

Synonyms.—P. Endlicheriana, Agardh; P. micropteris, JMett. ;
Litobrochia comans, Presi.

Distribution.—Tasmania, Australia, Norfolk Island, Polynesian
Islands and Juan Fernandez.

In New Zealand this is confined to the northern end of the North
Island, from the Bay of Islands to the Thames.

‘Het irae 4,P+ tagga, Tiamiyg. (2), fe: To)

Rhizome stout, creeping, glabrous. Stipes stout, erect, glabrous,
polished, straw-coloured. Fronds 2-5 ft. high, quite glabrous,
glaucous below, membranous or subcoriaceous, broadly deltoid, 2- or
3-pinnate ; upper pinne simply pinnate, lower with numerous pin-
natifid pinnules ; lowest often very compound; ultimate segments
4-2 in. long, broadly oblong or lanceolate, obtuse or acute, entire or
crenate, adnate and decurrent on the rachis; venation very variable,
sometimes quite free or more or less netted. Sori continuous to the
extremity of the segments, or interrupted.

Synonyms.—P. Brunoniana, Hndl. ; P. montana, Colenso; P. vesper-
tilionis, Zab. ; Litobrochia vespertilionis, Presi.
~ Distribution—A fern of extremely variable form, and very
widely distributed, ranging in America from the W. Indies and
Central America to Chili, and westwards to Juan Fernandez; also
in Western tropical and Southern Africa, India, Ceylon, Formosa,

Pteris| I.—FILICES. 63

several Polynesian Islands, Australia, Tasmania, and the Chatham
and Auckland Islands.

In New Zealand it is an extremely common species, and ranges
from the N. Cape to Stewart Island, frequenting chiefly the edge of
bush land and springing up abundantly in bush clearings. Mr. Kirk
reports it from the Great Barrier Island as attaining a height of 7
feet in favourable localities; while it has attracted the attention of
all observant visitors to the Hot Springs district, by the luxuriant
growth it makes among the hot pools and steam jets of that region.

Though a common species, its delicacy and beauty render this a
favourite fern. It is difficult to transplant as its rhizome grows to
a considerable length, but when once established in a good vegetable
mould, it grows freely.

Genus XVIIL—LOMARIA,* Willdenow. (Pl. IL. fig. 8,

and frontispiece.)

Rhizome creeping or ascending into a short trunk. Fronds pinnate
or pinnatifid, rarely simple or 2-pinnatifid, of two forms, the outer
broader and barren or fertile at the base only, the inner narrower
and fertile; veins free, simple or forked. Sori linear, continuous,
parallel with the midrib and occupying the whole or nearly the
whole of the space between it and the edge. Involucre membranous,
formed of the revolute edge of the frond, sometimes very obscure.

I—Sterile fronds pinnatifid or simple, rarely pinnate below ;
segments with a broad base.

Rhizome short, creeping. Fronds large,
dark-green, coriaceous, aia
simple or with few lobes we oa. 1. L. patersoni.

Stem ascending into a _ short ee
Fronds linear, coriaceous, brown
below ; segments oblong or rounded 2. L. discolor.

Rhizome stout. Fronds deltoid, coria-
ceous; segments falcate, lower de-
flexed sae eee ane tee eee eee )= 8. LL. vulleanica.

Rhizome short, stout, erect. Fronds

linear or lanceolate, membranous ;

segments oblong, slightly faleate ... 4. L. lanceolata,
Rhizome short, erect. Fronds lanceo-

late, rigidly coriaceous; segments

more or less lanceolate and falcate... 5. L. dura.
Rhizome slender, creeping. Fronds

linear, coriaceous, fertile the longest ;

segments linear-oblong, obtuse ... 6. L. alpina.

* Gr. Loma, a border or fringe, so named from the linear involucre,

64 1.—FILICES. [Lomaria

Rhizome short, woody. Fronds linear,
subcoriaceous, fertile the shortest ;

segments oblong, obtuse... 7. L. banksii.

Rhizome slender, creeping. Fronds
short, lanceolate, membranous ; seg-
ments linear-oblong, crenate ... ... 8. L. pumila.

IIl.— Sterile fronds pinnate ; pinne with narrow bases.

Rhizome stout, woody, erect. Fronds
1-6 ft. long, coriaceous; pinne
linear... we ue eee 6 9 LL. procera.

Rhizome climbing. Fronds pendulous... 10. L. filiformis,

Rhizome very short. Fronds very dark
green, membranous, linear-oblong,
with a large terminal pinna ... ... 11. L. nigra.

Rhizome stout, erect. Fronds linear,
membranous; pinne oblong or
rounded ; stipes and rachis scaly ... 12. L. fluviatilis.

Rhizome short. Fronds linear-oblong,
membranous ; pinne linear-oblong ;
stipes and rachis glabrous... ... 13. L. membranacea.

IIl.— Fronds 2-pinnatifid.

Rhizome long, suberect. Fronds ovate-
acuminate dc ays) ee see, don by irae,

1. L. patersoni, Sprengel.

Rhizome short, creeping. Stipes 2-6 in. long, stout, naked or
winged, rather scaly below. Sterile fronds 1-3 ft. long, dark-green,
shining, very coriaceous, pendulous ; quite entire, linear-oblong, with
an acuminate apex, or pinnatifid with from 6 to 9 segments on each
side ; segments 2-6 in. long, 1-2 in. broad, linear-lanceolate, decurrent
at the base, acuminate at the apex ; fertile fronds as long as sterile,
but segments only about fin. broad; sori occupying the whole space
between the midrib and margin.

Synonyms.—L. elongata, Blume.; L. colensoi, Hook. f. ; L. heter-
ophylla, Colenso ; L. cumingiana, Hook. ; L. punctata, Blume.

2k Distribution.—India, Ceylon and the Philippines eastwards and
- southwards to Fiji; $.E. Australia and Tasmania.

In the North Island this species occurs throughout the hilly forest-
clad regions as far north as the Thames, usually at elevations of
1,000-2,000 ft. In the South Island it is common down the W.
Coast, but is local in its distribution along the E. Being a shade-
haunting and moisture-loving species, it is only found wherever there
is any extent of bush land.

Lomaria] I.—FILICES. 65

In cultivation this fern succeeds well if it be provided with a
habitat sufficiently like that which it is always found in, in the
native state. It must have shade and moisture in abundance, and
grows best in a constant drip.

2. L. discolor, Willd. fecprcce,

Rhizome thick, ascending into a short trunk, 1-3 ft. high, from
the summit of which the crown of fronds is given off. Stipes 3-6 in.
long, strong, glossy, clothed below with long, linear-subulate scales.
Fronds 1-3 ft. long, pale-green above, red-brown below, very coria-
ceous; sterile 3-6 in. broad, narrowing gradually at both extremities ;
segments numerous, spreading, contiguous, linear, 14-3 in. long, cut
almost to the rachis, margin wavy ; fertile fronds with very narrow
segments (sometimes the lower half is sterile and leafy).

Synonyms.—Onoclea nuda, Labill. ; Stegania nuda and S. falcata, /
R. Br.; Osmunda discolor, Forst. v7

Distribution —Australia, Tasmania, Norfolk Island, and in the
Chatham, Auckland and Campbell Islands.

A very abundant species in New' Zealand, ranging from N. Cape
to Stewart Island, and occurring chiefly in the more open tracts of
bush land, where there is not too much undergrowth and moisture.

It is a very hardy species, and will grow in almost any soil; under
good treatment it attains immense proportions, bearing a tuft of
fronds 6 ft. or more in diameter.

L. attenuata, Walld.,

is usually described as a New Zealand fern; but as it only grows in
the Kermadec Islands, it can hardly be termed so, strictly. It isa
very wide-ranging species in other parts of the world. It may be
distinguished from ZL. discolor by its creeping rhizome, its usually
shorter alternate fronds, which are not red-brown below, and its
linear-lanceolate pinnules, which are broad at the base and narrow
to an acuminate apex.

”

8. L. vulecanica, Blume.

Rhizome very stout, woody, erect or sub-prostrate ; stipes 4-8 in.
long, pale, erect, with numerous blackish subulate scales at the base.
Fronds ovate-lanceolate or deltoid, 6-18 in. long, almost pinnate
below; barren bright-green and coriaceous; segments spreading,
lanceolate, 2-4 in. long, slightly dilated at the base, margin thickened
and more or less crenate, lowest pair deflexed ; fertile very narrow,
suddenly dilated at the base, distant.

Synonyms. —L, pilosa, Brack.; L. deflexa and L, deltoidea,
Colenso.

Distribution.—Tasmania, Polynesian Islands and Java.

This is rather local in its occurrence in New Zealand, though

ranging from Foveaux Straits to Auckland. It has been recorded
from nearly every region of both islands, but can only be called an

6

66 I.—FILICES. [Lomaria

abundant species in a few parts. Mr. Potts states that it is very
common on Banks’ Peninsula and the Malvern Hills.
It is a hardy species, and thrives very well under cultivation.

4. L. lanceolata, Sprengel.

Rhizome stout, often ascending into a trunk, 1-2 ft. high. Stipes
3-6 in. long, firm, erect, dark-brown, with blackish subulate scales at
the base. Fronds tufted, erect, 6-18 in. long, pale-green, rather
membranous ; sterile 2-4 in. broad, lanceolate, very gradually nar-
rowing below ; segments numerous, close-set, 1-1} in. long, oblong-
lanceolate, slightly falcate, entire, sinuous or crenate, veins promi-
nent ; fertile segments linear, spreading or falcate, acuminate.

1 Synonyms.—L. blechnoides, Bory. ; Stegania lanceolata, R. Br.
Distribution. — Tasmania, Australia, several of the Polynesian
Islands and var. blechnoides, from Chili; also in the Auckland,
Campbell and Chatham Islands.
This is one of the most abundant ferns in New Zealand, and
ranges from N. Cape to Stewart Island. It is also very hardy, and
is one of the most easily cultivated of all our ferns.

L. acuminata, Baker,

is a species intermediate between L. lanceolata and L. attenuata, but
is only known from Kermadec and Norfolk Islands, and has therefore

no need to be described here. :
5. L. dura, Moore. J,
Rhizome erect. Stipes 1-2 in. long, thick, erect, with ove

lanceolate scales at the base. Fronds tufted, 1 ft. or more long,
lanceolate, cut down to the rachis below, thick and leathery ; sterile
dwarfed below into rounded lobes; middle segments oblong, sub-
falcate, upper ones narrower and more acuminate; fertile with
crowded segments which are broad and very blunt, decurrent at
the base above, ultimately becoming involute. Sori very densely
crowded ; involucre transversely wrinkled, the margin fringed.

Synonym.—t. rigida, J. Smith.

Distribution.—Originally described from the Chatham Islands,
but since found to occur in many localities round the E., 8. and S.W.
coasts of the South Island, and also in the Auckland Islands. It
has been gathered at Banks’ Peninsula, Catlin River, Bluff Hill and
at some of the Sounds in the 8.W. of Otago. It is only found close
to the sea, frequently in situations where it is exposed to the spray.

6. L. alpina, Sprengel. 7

Rhizome slender, wide-creeping, clothed with reddish, tanigodlnke’®
chaffy scales. Stipes 4-8 in. long, slender, brown, sparingly scaly. |
Fronds coriaceous, 3-18 in. long, 4-2 in. broad, linear ; sterile with
numerous linear-oblong, obtuse segments about 4-3 in. long; fertile

Lomaria] 1,—FILICES. 67

longer, with narrower, more distant segments, which are usually
linear, obtuse, and either spreading or curved upwards.

Synonyms.—L. linearis, Col.; Stegania alpina, R. Br.; Polypodium
Penna-marina, Potret.

Distribution —Temperate 8. America, Tasmania, Alps of 8.E.
Australia ; also in the Chatham Islands.

This is a very common fern in both islands of New Zealand,
chiefly in mountainous regions, though it frequently descends to the
sea-level. In Otago it is abundant up to 3,000 ft.

It is a very hardy and vigorous species, thriving most luxuriantly
under cultivation, and when once established needs little attention
beyond that requisite to keep it within due limits.

)

2 ”, L. banksii, Hook.f (PI. IL. fig. 8.)

Rhizome short, stout, woody, ascending at the summit, covered
with matted fibres and above with reddish lanceolate scales. Stipes
2-4 in. long, erect, dark-coloured, scaly below. Fronds tufted,
numerous, coriaceous, quite glabrous; sterile 6-18 in. long, about
1 in. broad, very narrowly lanceolate ; segments numerous, close-set,
broadly oblong or semi-orbicular, rounded, entire, very broad at the
base, lower often forming a wing to the stem; fertile shorter and
more slender, segments narrower and more distant.

Confined to New Zealand, where, though ranging from the North
Cape to Stewart Island, it is rather local in its occurrence. In the
Auckland district it is extremely rare and local; it has been recorded
from North Cape, Kawau, Little Barrier Island, &c. Further south
it becomes more common, but is nowhere abundant. It occurs in
many localities on the East and West Coasts of Otago district.

It grows readily in cultivation, but requires a shady spot and
abundant supply of moisture.

8. L. pumila, Aaowl.

Rhizome slender, creeping. 8 clothed with blunt, chaffy, reddish
scales at the apex; roots wiry. Stipes 1-4 in. long, slender, chaffy
at the base. Fronds tufted, membranous, 3-5 in long, lanceolate ;
sterile about 4 in. broad ; segments spreading, ovate or ovate-oblong,
4-4 in. long, obtuse, crenate ; fertile fronds with longer stipes; seg-
ments linear- oblong, obtuse, rather distant and more or less decurrent
at the base.

This fern was gathered by M. Raoul during one of the visits
of the French frigate L’Aube to Akaroa, either in 1840-41 or in
1842-43, and since then has apparently never been found again.

9. L. procera, Sprengel. ae
Rhizome rather short, stout, woody, clothed with large reddish

scales, Stipes 6-12 in. long, stout, erect, scaly below. Fronds very
/ 7 De aes a oe aoa LP. Ye ee” ae a

68 1.—FILICES. [Lomaria

variable in form and structure, usually 1-4 ft. long, but in very
favourable situations reaching as much as 8 or 10 ft., very coriaceous,
rachis naked or scaly ; barren fronds with 3-20 pairs pinne, 3-12 in.
long, which are linear or lanceolate, rounded, cordate or auricled at
the base, minutely toothed; fertile pinne narrow linear, distant,
4-6 in. long ; involucre broad, membranous and ciliated.

Synonyms.—L. latifolia, Colenso ; L. gilliesii, Hook.,; L. capensis,
Willd.; Stegania procera and minor, Br.; Blechnum procerum, Labil/.,-
Parablechnum procerum, Presi.; Osmunda procera, Forst.; Osmunda
capensis, L.

Distribution.—Throughout Central and South America to Chili ;
South Africa ; Malay and Polynesian Islands; Australia and Tas-
mania; also in the Kermadec, Chatham, Auckland and Campbell
Islands.

A most abundant fern in New Zealand, ranging throughout
all the islands, and ascending from sea-level to 3,000 ft. and even
more. Some of the smaller forms are common in swamps and
marshes, and very similar states in rather open, dry woods. The
largest and most robust forms are usually on the banks of streams,
where the fronds are frequently pendulous. Sir J. D. Hooker defines
four varieties in the “ Flora of New Zealand,” which keep their
characters under cultivation.

It is an extremely hardy plant under cultivation ; and though it
will grow readily in somewhat dry spots, it thrives best with plenty
of water and good under-drainage.

In vol. ix. p. 491 of the ‘‘ Trans. N.Z. Institute,” Mr. T. H. Potts.
has described a peculiar and constant variety of this species under
the name of L. duplicata, from its branched fronds.

10. L. filiformis, 4. Cunn.

Rhizome climbing trees, stout, covered with chaffy scales. Stipes.
1-4 in. long, rigid, often chaffy below. Fronds pendulous, glabrous,
coriaceous, of three forms ; sterile linear- or ovate-lanceolate, 1-2 ft.
long; pinne 23 in. long, }in. broad, stalked, linear-lanceolate,
tapering to a long point, regularly crenate-dentate; those of the
lower part_of the caudex usually 3-4 in. long, 1 in. broad, linear ;
pinne oblong, obtuse, sharply-toothed ; fertile ovate; pinnse 3-4 in.
long, numerous, narrow linear.

Synonyms.—L, propinqua, A. Cunn.; L. pimpinelleefolia, Hook. f.~
Osmunda reptans, Banks and Sol. ; Stenochlena heteromorpha,,.
J. Sm.

~£_ Distribution.—Fiji.

“In the “ Handbook FI. N.Z.,” this very distinct species is stated, on
the authority of Banks and Solander, to be “abundant throughout
the North and Middle Islands.” It is common in the North Island
and the northern portions of the South Island, but does not extend.
as far south as Banks’ Peninsula. It is quite unknown in Otago.

a

Lomaria] I, FILICES. 69

11. L. nigra, Colenso.

Rhizome very short, stout, clothed with linear scales at the base.
Stipes 2-4 in. long, slender, erect, densely scaly, as is the rachis.
Fronds tufted, very dark green, membranous, glabrous, rarely
pubescent below, 8-12 in. long; sterile linear-oblong or lyrate,
usually pinnatifid above, with a large blunt terminal lobe, cut down
below to the rachis into rather unequal, oblong, obtuse, sinuate-
dentate pinne ; fertile with few distant linear pinne, terminal one
long.

Synonym.—Polybotrya nana, Fée.

Confined to New Zealand, where it occurs in dark, gloomy woods.
In the North Island it occurs at elevations ranging from 1,000 to
3,000 ft. and, though not abundant, is universally spread from
Whangarei to Wellington. In the South Island it occurs very
sparingly at Banks’ Peninsula, and in one or two parts of Eastern
Canterbury, according to Mr. Armstrong, but is much more common
on the West Coast, where it grows usually near sea-level.

In cultivation this fern requires conditions as similar as possible to
those of its native habitat, and as these are not readily obtainable in
most open-air ferneries, I would recommend it to be always grown in
a shady, moist locality within a greenhouse or Wardian case.

12. L. fluviatilis, Sprengel. (See frontispiece.)

Rhizome stout, clothed above with brown, linear scales. Stipes
3-4 in. long, erect, scaly, as is the rachis. Fronds tufted, linear,
membranous, 8-20 in. long; sterile 1-2 in. broad, with numerous
oblong, rounded, spreading pinne, which are waved or crenate, and
confluent at the apex of the frond ; fertile very narrow, with narrow-
linear, suberect, obtuse pinne, which are 4-3 in. long.

Synonyms.—L, rotundifolia, Raoul; Stegania fluviatilis, Br.

Distribution.—8.E. Australia and Tasmania.

A most abundant fern throughout New Zealand, which attains its
greatest luxuriance, as its name implies, when growing on the banks
of streams. It is not confined to such habitats, however, but grows
both in the open and in the bush, at elevations ranging from sea-level
to 2,000 ft.

It is an extremely hardy species, and thrives very readily under
cultivation.

13. L. membranacea, Colenso.

Rhizome short, stout, with dark-brown linear scales above. Stipes
very short, naked, as is the rachis. Fronds tufted, 6-10 in. long,
membranous ; sterile 1-14 in. broad; pinne spreading, oblong or
linear-oblong, obtuse, crenate, 4-2 in. long, } in. broad, lowest
suborbicular, quite distinct, uppermost confluent ; fertile longer than
sterile, on a longer stipes; pinne rather distant, linear, erecto-
patent.

ms

70 I.—FILICES. [Lomaria

This species is allied to Z. fluviatilis, and is intermediate in habit
between it and LZ. lanceolata. It is exclusively confined to New
Zealand, and has a wide range in both islands, though it is not an
abundant species. It is tolerably common from the Thames north-
wards to the Bay of Islands, also in various other parts of the North
Island. In the South Island it occurs very locally, being found in

many spots from Nelson to Otago. It is rare down the whole West
Coast.

14, L. frazeri, 4. Cunn.

Rhizome slender, erect, often lengthened into a trunk 2-3 ft. high,
clothed at the top with linear, dark-brown scales. Stipes 4-6 in.
long, strong, erect, scaly at the base, glabrous above and more or less.
interruptedly winged with triangular lobes, as is the rachis. Fronds
numerous, tufted, glabrous, membranous, 10-18 in. long, 4-6 in.
broad, ovate-acuminate, 2-pinnatifid; pinne linear-lanceolate, the
lower ones 2-3 in. long, 4-3 in. broad, cut down very nearly to the
rachis into linear-oblong mucronate slightly-toothed pinnules, which
have decurrent bases. Fertile fronds similar to or narrower than
the sterile.

This is a very remarkable species, differing in habit from all the
others of the genus, and is only found in New Zealand. It is par-
ticularly characteristic of the northern portion of the North Island,
being common from the N. Cape to the Thames, but becoming rare
further south. In the South Island, it was gathered by Lyall during
the cruise of the Acheron, about the year 1848, at Massacre Bay, in
the Nelson district ; but I am not aware of any other habitat, nor
does it seem to have been gathered there since. According to Mr.

Potts, this fern is very much eaten down by cattle, whenever they
meet with it.

Genus XVIII.—DOODIA,* RF. Brown. (Pl. IIL. fig. 9.)

Rhizome short. Fronds tufted, pinnate or pinnatifid; veins forming
one or two series of arches between the midrib and edge, on which
the sori are placed. Sori oblong or slightly curved, in one or more
rows parallel with the midrib; involucre of the same shape as the
sorus, membranous, opening inwards.

1. D. media, &. Br.

Stipes 4-6 in. long, black, with subulate scales at its base, some-
times scabrous, usually smooth above, as is the rachis. Fronds
tufted, 6-12 in. (rarely 2 ft.) long, lanceolate; pinnae numerous,
spreading, linear, acute or obtuse, toothed or sharply serrate, the
lower more or less rounded or auricled, those in the upper part of
the frond more or less connected at the base, the apex of the frond

* In honour of Saml. Doody, an English cryptogamic botanist.

Doodia] I.—FILICES, 71

frequently elongated and entire. Sori oblong, usually in a single
row on each side of the midrib, sometimes quite confluent. 2

~ Var. 1. media (proper).—Fronds erect, pinnate only in the lower +

half or two-thirds, coriaceous ; pinne 1-2 in. long. ae

Var. 2. connexa (D. connexa, Kunze).—Fronds 1-2 ft. high, rather
membranous, pinnate in the lower half or two-thirds ; pinne 3-6 ing
long.

Var. 3. caudata (D.caudata, R. Br.).—Fronds more or less prostrate «
or decurved, rather flaccid, pinnate nearly to the apex; pinne 4-1 in. ,
long. Fertile fronds longer, narrower and. usually more. upright than ,
the sterile. eg ge he re ao gg

Considerable difference of opinion prevails among botanists as to-
the value of the characters which separate the above forms. In the
‘* Synopsis Filicum,” the first and third are treated as distinct, but
closely allied species, with the second as a variety of D. media. In
Bentham’s “ Flora Australiensis,” D. caudata is described, and its.
variety media; while in the “ Handbook to the N.Z. Flora,” all
three are treated as distinct species.

Synonyms.—D. kunthiana, Gaudichaud ; D. rupestris, Kaulfuss ;
Woodwardia caudata, Cav.; Woodwardia media, Fée ; &c.

Distribution. — Australia, Tasmania, and many of the Pacific
Islands.

In New Zealand this species is confined to the North Island, the
typical variety being common throughout the northern portion from
N. Cape to Poverty Bay; it is, however, found throughout the
island. It is a hardy fern, growing often with great vigour on poor,
dry soil, and is to be chiefly found on open, hilly ground. Var.
connexa is much more local in its occurrence, but is to be met with
from Tauranga northwards, and on several of the islands in Hauraki
Gulf. Var. caudata is tolerably common throughout the island; a
somewhat fragrant form of it, with more or less falcate pinne, occurs
in the Wellington and Wairarapa districts.

All the varieties are easily grown, but in the southern portions of
the colony require some protection. They can bear the sun and
drought very well, when thoroughly established, and therefore
only require to be guarded against severe frost.

Genus XIX.—ASPLENIUM,* Z. (Pl. III. figs. 1 and 2, and
frontispiece.)

Rhizome usually short and thick. Fronds tufted, pinnate, or
2- to 4-pinnate. Sori linear or rarely oblong, on veins proceeding
obliquely from the midrib, usually distant from the margin. In-
volucres membranous, similar in form to the sori, attached along one
side to the vein, and opening along the other towards the midrib.

* Gr. a, privative, splen, the spleen; reputed to have medicinal action on
the pees ang hence called | Spleenworts.
3 fr. US, ai Bie, & he!

u

mw

72 I,—FILICES. [Asplenium

A very large and most variable genus, of which some of the New
Zealand species are very constant and definite in form, while others
are extremely inconstant and pass into one another, thus rendering
their classification a work of considerable difficulty. Sir J. D.
Hooker, in the “ Handbook Fl. N.Z.,” characterizes twelve species,

‘ but states that many of them pass so readily into one another that
only jive universally separable forms occur in the islands.

All our species are very hardy, and grow most readily under
cultivation.

Sori linear, diverging from the midrib. Fronds pinnate or rarely
pinnate below.

Pinnz }-4 in. long, nearly as broad as long.

Fronds weak, diffuse, rooting at the tips;

pinne obliquely obovate or fan-
shaped, veins flabellate ... ... ... 1. A. flabellifolium.

Fronds small, tufted; pinne oblong or
or obovate, veins few, forked,
diverging from a midrib ws a. 2 A. trichomanes.

Pinne numerous, 1-6 in. long, linear or linear-oblong, acute or
acuminate.

Fronds usually very thick ; pinne oblong
4 or lanceolate, veins often incon-
, Spicuous .. 0. ww) 8. AL obtusatum.
Hronds coriaceous ; pinne lanceolate,
ah acuminate; veins close, very oblique;

sori very numerous, parallel, giving

a striate appearance to the under-

surface... ... wee ee) 4 AL falcatum.

Sort linear, diverging from the midrib, and close to the margin
of the segments. Fronds 2- or 3-pinnate, segments usually narrow.

Fronds 3-10 in. long, 2-pinnate, mem-
branous ; pinnules stalked, {-} in.
long ; sori few, large <a 5. A. hookerianum.

Fronds 1-3 ft. long, flaccid, often pro-
liferous ; pinnules lanceolate, acumi-
mate... 0 6. kee tee eee eee ee) 6. A. bulbiferum.

Fronds 3-6 in. long, stout, coriaceous,
ovate, acuminate; pinnules ovate
or obovate, obtuse ... ... ... ... 7. A. richardi.

Fronds 1-3 ft. long, coriaceous, narrow ;
pinnules very narrow, linear... ... 8. A. flaccidum.
Sori more or less curved and cylindrical. Fronds 2- or 3-pinnate.
Fronds 2-3 ft. long, membranous, deltoid 9. A. umbrosum.

Aspleniwm|] I—FILICES. 73

1. A. flabellifolium, Cavanilles. (PI. III. fig. 1.)

Rhizome very small, Stipes 3-6 in. long, slender, flexuous, green
or brown. Fronds tufted, procumbent, straggling widely and rocting
at the tips, 6-18 in. long; pinne 10-15 on each side, sessile, flabellate,
4-4 in. long and broad, broadly lobed and the lobes sharply toothed.
Sori 3-8 on each pinna, oblique, irreg

Synonym.—A. flabelliforine, Hook:

Distribution.— Australia ad Tas

A very common fern in NeW Zeal:
stony ground. It occurs thrbugho
local in forest-clad districts. It is t
of the whole genus, as well as one of
as well under pot or basket culture

nia. .7
d, always growing in rocky or .
both islands, thovtgh rather
most easily cultivated species
e most beautifulfand succeeds

in the open air.”

2. A. trichofnanes, Z.

Rhizome short, thick. Stipes 1-4 fA. long, naked, chestnut-brown,
polished. Fronds tufted, 3-12 in. lon§erect, linear, rather coriaceous ;
pinne very numerous in opposite pairs, 4-2 in. long, oblong or obovate,
slightly crenate, obliquely cuneate at the base. Sori 3-6 on each
side of the midrib, linear-oblong, oblique.

Distribution.—Throughout the north temperate zone, “ from
Britain and the Azores eastward to Japan and the Himalayas, where
it ascends to 6-8,000 ft.,” Northern Polynesia, N. America, and the
Andes of S. America, 8. Africa, Australia, and Tasmania.

In New Zealand this little fern is found in the open mountainous
country of both islands ; like the preceding species, it grows chiefly
among rocks and stones. In the N. Island it occurs in the ranges
from E. Cape to Taranaki and south to Wellington, but apparently
has not been found to the north of Tauranga. In the S. Island it
occurs throughout the whole of the central ranges, also in the
Kaikouras and in Banks’ Peninsula, at elevations of 500-3,000 ft.

An extremely hardy species, which grows readily under cultiva-
tion, if its natural conditions of life are imitated as much as
possible.

3. A. obtusatum, Forst. “/A «0 Cao "

Rhizome short, thick, scaly. Stipes 3-6 in. long, very stout,
greyish, clothed at the base with large, thin, grey, lanceolate scales.
Fronds 6-18 in. long, unusually thick and coriaceous, very variable,
linear-oblong to deltoid; pinne 2-12 pairs, shortly stalked, varying
from $14 in. long, and obliquely oblong or ovate-lanceolate, obtuse
to 3-6 in. long, and lanceolate, acuminate, crenate, serrate or
pinnatifid, bases truncate, cuneate or rounded.

This species is taken by me to include a number of forms, which,
though quite distinct in their typical states, are so united by gradual
and intermediate transitional stages as to be most difficult of separa-
tion. They pass also, by almost imperceptible gradations, from the

74 I.—FILICES. [Asplenium

simply pinnate form into two or three other species with bi- or tri-
pinnate fronds. The following varieties represent the most prevalent
forms :—

Var. 1. obliquum.—Fronds 1-2 ft. long, linear or linear-oblong ;
pinne 1-4 in. long, #1 in. broad, lanceolate, narrowing to an
acuminate apex, margins crenate or serrate; sori} to # in. long,
close together.

Synonyms.—A. obliquum, Forst. ; A. apicidentatum, Hombr. and
Jacq.

A common littoral form, growing on rocks and banks close to the
sea-shore. Common from N. Cape to Stewart Island.

Var. 2. scleropiwm.—Fronds long, very thick and coriaceous ;
pinne 1-4 in. long, 4-3 in. broad, narrow lanceolate, apex very
elongate, margins regularly and closely toothed to 4 in. or more ; sori
extending to the segments.

This is a transition form tending towards A. flaccidwm, and in its
typical state is found “in woods near the sea” in the Auckland
Islands only.

- Var. 3. luctdum.—Fronds large, often 2 ft. long or more, and
“1 ft. or more broad at the base, rather flaccidly coriaceous ; pinne
oblong-lanceolate, lowest often 6 in. long, 1-14 in. broad, very
acuminate, margins deeply toothed, particularly on the upper side,
rachis often dark-coloured ; sori very long, numerous and linear.

Common from N. Cape to Stewart Island ; also in the Chatham
Islands.

Var. paucifolium of the “ Handbook Fl. N.Z.” is only a dwarf
form, with few pinne on the frond.

Var. 4. lyallit.—Fronds 8-18 in. long, 4-9 in. broad at base, rather
membranous in texture ; pinne lanceolate-deltoid, the lower ones cut
to the rachis into deeply-toothed pinnules, which are cuneate at the
base and distinctly stalked, while those above are deeply pinnatifid.

This is a transition form between A. obtusatwm and A. bulbiferum ;
it is tolerably common throughout the islands, and also occurs in the
Chatham Islands.

A, obtusatum in all its forms is a littoral fern, and is seldom found
at any great distance from the sea.

In one or other of its varieties it is found in Peru and Chili,
several of the Polynesian Islands, and in Australia.

4. A. falcatum, Lamarck.

Rhizome creeping, often on trees, clothed with large brown scales.
Stipes 6-9 in. long, firm, erect, greyish or brown, nearly naked.
Fronds tufted, coriaceous, 6-24 in. long, erect, lanceolate or linear-
lanceolate ; pinne rather numerous, nearly horizontal, 2-6 in. long,
4-1 in. broad, lanceolate, acuminate, sharply lobed or pinnatifid, and
toothed, lower side of the base obliquely truncate, upper broad and

Aspleniwm] I.—FILICES. 15

auricled ; veins close, very oblique. Sori very long, reaching nearly
to the margin, close.

Synonym.—A. polyodon, Forst. Dit

Distribution.—An abundant fern in 8. Africa, India, Ceylon,. 7
Malacca, Polynesian Islands and Australia; also in the Chatham
Islands. Tolerably common throughout New Zealand, but seldom
at any great distance from the coast. It ranges from N. Cape to.
Stewart Island, and in some parts ascends to 2,000 ft.

A. caudatum, Forst.,

a somewhat similar fern to the last, and probably only a variety
of it, is included in the New Zealand Flora, in the “ Handbook Fl.
N.Z.;” but as it only occurs in the Kermadec Islands, on the extreme
outskirts of the region, it hardly merits more than mention here.
Its range in the Old World is similar to that of A. falcatum, but it
is also found in 8. America.

5. A. hookerianum, Colenso.

Rhizome short, fibrous. Stipes 1-4 in. long, slender, greenish, with
narrow deciduous scales, which are also on the rachis. Fronds.
tufted, 2-12 in. long, 2-4 in. broad, membranous, ovate or oblong,
_ 2- -pinnate, with several long- -stalked Pane on each side, which are
~ 1-2 in. long ; pinnules also stalked, about 4 in. long, cuneate at the
base, rounded and crenate or lobed above, zelne subflabellate. Sori
3-5 on a pinnule, on the disk.

— Var. colensoi (A. colensoi, Hook. J:).—Pinnules deeply cut into.

linear segments, each with a single vein, and a solitary oblong sorus.
on the margin.

Synonym.—A. adiantiodes, Raowl.

Distribution.—S.H. Australia. Tolerably common in both islands.
of New Zealand. In the North Island it occurs chiefly at about
1,500 ft. elevation, and ranges from Whangarei to Wellington—
occurring, however, very locally in many parts. In the South Island
it is commoner, and occurs in all the more open localities. It is a
fern occurring chiefly in rocky ground, and is very hardy under cul-
tivation. Var. colensot has about the same distribution, but is not
so common as the typical form. Intermediates between the two.
occur, while the species passes into the allied A. richardi, and by it
into some forms of A. flacctdum.

6. A. bulbiferum, Forst. (See frontispiece.) hohe

Rhizome stout, horizontal or oblique, scaly above. Stipes 6-12 in..
long, greenish, firm, erect, scaly at the base, and with deciduous.
scales “above and on the rachis, Fronds 1-3 ft. long, bright-green,
erect or pendulous, herbaceous, and more or less flucld 3 pinne
numerous, horizontal, often proliferous from the upper surface,
sometimes 6-8 in. long, cut down to the winged rachis into numerous
lanceolate-ovate pinnules, which are again cut into slightly-toothed,

76 1.—FILICES. [Asplenium
J

linear-oblong segments. Sori on the disk of the more entire segments,
j often filling its whole breadth when mature, almost on the margin of
‘(the more cut ones.

Var. laxwm (A. laxum, R. Br.).—Fronds more slender, usually
pendulous and more compound; segments narrow, with the sori
almost marginal.

Var. tripinnatum.—Fronds 3-pinnate, sori marginal ;—a transi-
‘tional form between A. bulbiferwm and A. flaccidum.

Var. shuttleworthianum (A. shuttleworthianum, Kunze).—Fronds
large, 4-pinnatifid below. Another transitional form, sometimes
referred to A. flaccidum.

Synonyms.—A. tremulum, and A. fabianum, Hombr. and Jacq.;
Cenopteris appendiculata, Ladill.

Distribution. — Australia, Tasmania, New Caledonia, Samoa,
Penang, N. India, S.E. Africa and several of its islands, Central
America’; also found in the Chatham Islands.

Common throughout all parts of New Zealand, chiefly occurring
‘in damp woods. It is one of the most variable and also one of the
most beautiful species of the genus, and is very easily cultivated. It
passes into nearly all the other species of the section.

7. A. richardi, Hook. f.

Rhizome short, stout, with subulate scales at its apex. Stipes
3-6 in. long, stout, greenish, scaly. Fronds tufted, 5-6 in. long, ovate,
acuminate ; pinne 1-1} in. long, close-set, lanceolate, erecto-patent,
-cut down to a winged rachis into numerous crowded ovate or obovate
pinnules, which are again deeply pinnatifid into linear obtuse or
mucronate segments ; veins solitary in each segment. Sori solitary,
oblong, close to the margin of each segment.

Synonyms.—A. adiantioides, var. richardi, Hook. f.; A. raoulii,
war, vichardi, Mettenius.

Distribution.—Confined to New Zealand, and occurring locally in
various parts of the S. Island, and more sparingly in the N. Island.
It was originally collected near the mouth of the New River, at the
extreme south end of the 8. Island, but has been gathered at various
points in both the east and west of the Otago district ; also along the
lower heights of the Southern Alps, on the Malvern Hills, Banks’
Peninsula and in the Wellington district.

This fern is probably not entitled to specific rank, being apparently
‘an intermediate form between A. hookerianwm and A. flaccidum, with
‘both of which it is connected by almost imperceptible gradations.

8. A. flaccidum, Forst. (Pl. III. fig. 2.)

Rhizome stout, erect, with large, subulate, membranous scales
above. Stipes 4-8 in. long, stout, greenish, naked above, scaly only

Asplenium] I, —FILICES. 77

at the base. Fronds tufted, usually pendulous, coriaceous, 6 in.- 3 ft.
long, pinnate or 2-pinnate, very variable; pinne 4-10 in. long in
larger forms, lanceolate, rigid and erect, or flaccid and drooping,.
stalked, deeply pinnatifid or cut down to the rachis into narrow
linear, oblique or incurved, obtuse pinnules, which are }-3 in. long,
and bear one vein in each. Sori oblong, on or near the margin of
the segments.

Synonyms.—A. heterophyllum, A. Rich., A. odontites, R. Br.;
Ceenopteris flaccida, Thunberg ; C. novee-zelandie, Sprengel; Darea
flaccida, Smith.

Distribution. — Australia, Tasmania, Natal and the Sandwich .
Islands ; also found on the Auckland and Chatham Islands. In

This is an extremely variable species, passing into A. richardt,
A. bulbiferum, A. hookerianum, A. obtusatum, and even in some of
its forms into A. falcatum. In the “ Handbook to the N.Z. FI.,”
six varieties are defined, but these are just some of the intermediate
forms referred to. Its habitats are very various, the typical flaccid
forms being found chiefly in damp, forest regions, pendulous from
trees or rocks ; the sea-side forms show a tendency to pass into the-
varieties of A. obtusatwm, while those occurring in alpine districts
are usually short, stout, and very coriaceous.

In almost all its varieties it is a very hardy and easily cultivated
fern. It is common in all parts of New Zealand.

9. A. umbrosum, J. Smith.

Rhizome stout, creeping. Stipes 1 ft. or more long, strong, erect,
with dark scales below, polished above. Fronds 2-4 ft. long, broadly
deltoid, 1-14 ft. broad, bright-green, membranous and rather flaccid,
2- or 3-pinnate; pinne ovate lanceolate, acute or acuminate ;
pinnules 1-2 in. long, oblong-lanceolate, cut down to the rachis into-
numerous linear-oblong, obtuse, sometimes unequal segments, which
are usually deeply incised or crenate ; veins oblique, usually forked.
Sori close, several on each segment, oblong; involucre large,.
membranous, tumid, bursting usually along the margin, the sori
often at length covering the centre of the segment.

Synonyms.—A. Australe, Brackenridge ; A. brownii, Hook. ; A..
physosorus, Sieb. ; Allantodia australis and A. tenera, &. Br.

Distribution.—Madeira, Canaries, Azores, Guinea Coast, Himalayas
(ascending to 6-8,000 ft.), Ceylon, Java, Australia and Tasmania.

In New Zealand this is the most limited in distribution of all the:
Asplenia, occurring chiefly to the north of Auckland in the N.
Island, and only at Nelson in the 8. Island.

It is a beautiful species, but in the greater gart of these islands is
too delicate for any but in-door culture. It grows in its native
habitats in damp, deeply-shaded woods.

78 1.—FILICES. [Aspidium

Genus XX.—ASPIDIUM,* Swartz. (Pl. III. fig. 3.)

Rhizome slender or stout and creeping, or forming a short, thick,
erect or inclined trunk. Fronds 2- or 3-pinnate. Sori globose,
dorsal or terminal on the veinlets. Involucre orbicular, covering the
sorus when young, flat or convex, fixed by the centre.

(All the New Zealand species belong to the sub-genus Polystichwm,
characterized by their rather coriaceous texture, their usually awned
teeth, and free venation.)

Rhizome erect or ascending.

Fronds 1-3 ft. long, narrow stipes and
rachis, with large brown scales mixed
with hairs. Involucre orbicular, flat 1. A. aculeatum.

Fronds 8-24 in. long, ovate, rigid. Stipes
and rachis with narrow black scales.
Involucre with small dark disk .. 2, A. richardi.

Fronds 10-20 in. long, ovate-oblong, rigid.

Stipes with large, brown, white-edged

scales. Involucre with large black

disk 10.0. eae ee ee eee) 8 AL oculatum,
Fronds 4-10 in. long, rather flaccid. Stipes

and rachis with large, pale, membran-

ous scales. Involucre large, much

inflated and sub-globose ... ... ... 4 A. cystostegia.

Rhizome creeping.

Fronds 1-3 ft. long, subdeltoid, very cori-
aceous. Stipes with few deciduous
scales. Involucre large ... ... ... 5, A. capense.

1. A. aculeatum, Swartz ; var. vestitum, Hook.

Rhizome stout, woody, erect or ascending, sometimes rising to a
short trunk 2-4 ft. high. Stipes 6-12 in. long, clothed with large,
brown, pale-margined, membranous scales, which are ovate-lanceolate,
acuminate or lacerate, and 4-1 in. long; these are continued to a
greater or less degree up the rachis, and mixed with brown, woolly,
hairs. Fronds tufted, 1-3 ft. long, linear or ovate-lanceolate, and
narrowed below ; pinne very numerous, close, nearly horizontal, 2-6
in. long, 3-3 in. broad, linear-lanceolate ; pinnules numerous, ovate-
rhomboidal, pungent, sharply toothed or pinnatifid, auricled on the
upper side at the base. Sori very numerous, rather nearer the
midrib than the edge ; involucre flat, orbicular.

Synonyms.—A. pulcherrimum and A. waikarense, Colenso; A.
venustum, Hombr. and Jacq.; A. proliferum, &. Br. ; Polystichum

* Gr. Aspidos, a buckler or shield, from the shape of the involucre.

Aspidiwm] I.—-FILICES. 79

vestitum, Presi. ; besides a host of other synonyms which have been
given to varying forms in many parts of the world. To this also
must be referred Polypodium sylvaticum, Col., described in the
“ Handbook Fl. N.Z.,” page 350, and which in “Syn. Filicum” is
included as a non-involucrate form.

Distribution.—Throughout the world; rare in the Arctic regions
and Eastern N. America. Common throughout New Zealand,
though in the N. Island chiefly in hilly and mountainous parts.
There is considerable diversity as to the scaliness of the stipes and
rachis even in our forms, and the typical European form differs a
_good deal from them in several respects ; but innumerable intermediate
gradations connect all the forms, and render specific separation
impossible.

Though extremely common, this is a very handsome fern, and
grows very readily under cultivation. It should be in every
fernery.

2. A. richardi, Hook.

Rhizome short, stout, scaly. Stipes 6-12 in. long, rather stout,
-erect, clothed throughout—as is the rachis—with scattered, narrow,
subulate, black scales. Fronds tufted, 6-18 in long, 4-9 in. broad,
broadly ovate or deltoid, very coriaceous, dark-green above, glabrous
-or woolly and scaly below ; pinne numerous, close, lanceolate,
acuminate, deeply pinnatifid, or cut quite to the rachis into distinct
lanceolate pinnules, which are themselves sharply toothed or pinnatifid,
teeth often pungent. Sori in about 2 rows midway between the
midrib and the edge ; ingolucre flat, w: mall black disk.

Synonym.— — Bolas en ae Sastabarl, ek 7,

Distribution.—Fiji. An abundant species throughout New Zea- ,
land; often found in rather open woods, but particularly partial to”
the sea coast. It is a very hardy fern.

3. A. oculatum, Hook.

Stipes 1 ft. long, firm, straw-coloured, clothed throughout with
large, dark-brown, rigid, subulate scales, which are continued along
the rachis and mixed with lax woolly hairs. Fronds tufted, coriaceous,
10-20 in. long, ovate-oblong or deltoid, acuminate, 3-pinnate, cori-
aceous; pinne numerous, 2-4 in. long, narrow ovate-lanceolate ;
pinnules alternate, lanceolate, cut nearly to the rachis into oblong-
rhomboidal segments ; the whole under-surface of the frond downy.
Sori abundant, in 2 rows near the midrib; involucre orbicular, with
-a large black disk and narrow reddish margin,

This little-known fern is recorded from Akaroa and Nelson in the

‘South Island, and the Wairarapa Valley in the North Island.

4. A. cystostegia, Hook. U%. Goro an

Rhizome short, small. Stipes 2-4 in. long, stout, brown, shining,
.clothed with numerous lanceolate, pale-brown, ‘membranous scales

80 1,—FILICES. [Aspidium

which are 4-2 in. long, and are continued (but of smaller size) up the
rachis. Fronds tufted, 4-10 in. long, 14-2 in. broad, oblong-lanceo-
late, pale-green, soft, and placid, almost membranous ; pinne distant
below, crowded above, 4-14 in. long, ovate-deltoid, pinnatifid or
pinnate ; lower pinnules oblong-lanceolate, deeply lobed, the teeth
blunt. Sori numerous, usually in two rows; involucres large, very
membranous and convex, with the edge turned down all round.

Distribution.—Confined to the mountain ranges of New Zealand,
occurring on Tongariro and Taranaki, and probably also on other
mountain heights in the North Island. In the South Island it is
found along the whole central chain at elevations of from 3,000 to
6,000 ft.,in a great number of localities. It is extremely hardy,
and can be cultivated with the greatest facility.

A. aristatum, Swartz,

included among New Zealand ferns in the “ Handbook Fl. N.Z.,”
occurs on the Kermadec Islands, but in no other part of the N.Z.
botanical region. It is a tropical fern, having a wide range from
Japan in the N. to New South Wales in the S., and from Natal to
Samoa.

5. A. capense, Willd. (Pl. III. fig. 3.)

Rhizome stout, creeping, elongated, covered with tawny, silky
scales. Stipes 1-2 ft. long, firm, erect, greyish, densely scaly below.
Fronds scattered, 1-3 ft. long, 12-18 in. broad, rigidly coriaceous,
ovate-deltoid, pinne obliquely-deltoid, erecto-patent ; pinnules 1-2 in.
long, ovate or lanceolate, obtusely lobed or pinnatifid into oblong,
obtuse, bluntly toothed or entire segments. Sori in 2 rows, nearly
filling the segments ; involucre large, orbicular, with a deep sinus.

Synonyms.—A. coriaceum, Swartz; A. cunninghamianum,
Colenso ; Polystichum coriaceum, Schott ; Polypodium adiantiforme,
Forst.

'' -~Dastribution.—America, from Cuba to Patagonia; South Africa ;
Australia and Polynesia. Also in the Chatham Islands.

A common fern in most parts of New Zealand, ranging from

N. Cape to Stewart Island, usually occurring in woods.

Genus XXI—NEPHRODIUM,* Br. (Pl. IIL. fig. 4.)

Fronds pinnate or 2-4-pinnate; veins forked and free, rarely
united. Sori sub-globose, dorsal, or terminal on the veinlets.
Involucre cordate-reniform, attached by the sinus to the centre of
the sorus, often deciduous.

I.—Lastrea. Veins all free.

Fronds pinnate,
Rhizome creeping. Fronds 1-2 ft. long,
lanceolate see aR ae 1. N. thelypteris.

* Gr. Nephros, a kidney, from the shape of the involucre.

Nephrodium] I.——FILICES, 81

Fronds 2-4-pinnate.

Rhizome creeping, elongated. Fronds
scattered, 1-2 ft. long, glabrous or
slightly pubescent ... ... ... ... 2. N.decompositum.

Rhizome short, stout. Fronds tufted,
7-10 in. long, ee or slightly

pubescent chp 3. N. glabellum.
Rhizome short, stout. Fr fade L 2 ft, iota:
quite downy on both sides... .... 4, N. velutinum.

Rhizome stout, creeping. Fronds 1-2 ft.
long ; stipes and rachis Pape with
rough scaly hairs... ... .. .. 5, N. hispidum.

II.—Eunephrodium. Lower veinlets of contiguous groups united.
Fronds pinnate in both species.

Rhizome creeping. Fronds ovate-oblong,
rather rigid; lower oo not re-
duced... vse ee eee eee ee) 6 NN. uniitum.

Rhizome short, hovivontal or suberect.
Fronds oblong-lanceolate, rather
membranous and flaccid, pubescent
on both surfaces ; lower pinne much
reduced ...0 .6. wee eee eee eee) TN. mole.

1. N. thelypteris, Desv.; var. squamulosum, Schlecht.

Rhizome slender, wide-creeping. Stipes about 1 ft. long, slender,
pale-coloured except at the base, which is blackish, quite naked or
more or less covered with pale, convex, scattered scales. Fronds
membranous, 1-2 ft. long, ch 6 in. broad, lanceolate; pinnz subopposite,
spreading, 14-3 in. long, } in. broad, cut nearly to the rachis into
entire linear-oblong lobes, which are broader in the sterile than in
the fertile fronds ; lower veinlets forked, upper simple. Sori
numerous, small, not confluent, in rows near the recurved margin ;
involucres cordate-reniform.

Synonyms.—N. squamulosum, Hook.; Lastrea thelypteris, Presi. ;
L. palustris, J. Sm.; &e., ke.

Distribution.—The typical plant is common throughout the North
temperate zone, while the local variety is also found in South
Africa.

Rare in New Zealand, and very limited in its distribution. It
occurs only in the north end of the North Island, from the Bay of
Islands to Rotomahana, which is probably its most southerly habitat,
and within these limits is of rather local occurrence. Maketu—on
the E. Coast—is probably the locality where it is most abundant,

7

82 I.—FILICES. [Nephrodiwm

2. N. decompositum, 2. Br.

Rhizome creeping, elongated, slender, more or less branched and
covered with chaffy scales. Stipes 8-16 in. long, scaly at the base,
finely pubescent. Fronds distant, solitary, membranous, villous or
pubescent, 1-2 ft. long, 6-12 in. broad, ovate-acuminate ; lowest pair
of pinne much the largest, 5-7 in. long, 3-4 in. broad, obliquely-
deltoid ; upper pinnules lanceolate, pinnate or deeply pinnatifid,
segments ovate with acutely-toothed lobes. Sori attached nearer the
margin than the midrib.

Synonyms.—N. pentangularum, Col. ; Aspidium decompositum,
Spreng.; A. microsorum, Hndi,; A. shepherdi, Kunze ; A. acumi-
natum, Lowe ; Lastrea decomposita, J. Sm.

Distribution.—Australia, Tasmania and Norfolk Island; also in
the Chatham Islands.

This is a fern of very general distribution in New Zealand,
occurring chiefly on the banks of rivers—according to Mr. Kirk.
In the “Handbook Fl. N.Z.” it has been confused with V.
glabellum.

It is a species which grows readily under cultivation, and from
its creeping habit requires only a few inches depth of well-drained
loam, with a good supply of moisture.

3. N. glabellum, 4. Cunn.

Rhizome short, stout, unbranched, clothed with the bases of old
fronds. Stipes 3-6 in. long, scaly at the base, naked above, reddish.
Fronds few, tufted on the summit of the rhizome, 7-10 in. long,
6-9 in. broad, deltoid, acuminate, slightly coriaceous, glossy ; lowest
pair of pinne 4-5 in. long, 2-3 in. broad, narrowly deltoid, rachis
winged; pinnules pinnate or deeply pinnatifid, basal lobes over-
lapping; segments with obtusely-toothed lobes. Sori equidistant
between the margin and the midrib.

Synonyms.—N. decompositum, var. pubescens, Hook. f.; N. decom-
positum, var. microphyllum, Jook.; Lastrea davallioides, Brack. ;
L. glabellum, J. Sm.; Aspidium glabellum, Lowe.

Distribution.— Australia, Fiji and Tahiti.

Generally distributed in forests throughout New Zealand. Bota-
nists are indebted to Mr. Kirk for clearing up the confusion which
had arisen regarding this and the preceding species. Though the
points of difference between the two are not so very prominent as
between many varieties of other species, yet these differences are
very persistent, and intermediates do not appear to have been
found.

A very easily cultivated fern, bearing transplantation remarkably
well, and requiring very little care, except shelter from too much of
the sun’s rays.

Nephrodium) LL—FILICES, 83

4. N. velutinum, Hook. f (Pl. III. fig. 4.)

Stipes 12-18 in. long, with subulate scales at the base, covered
with bright-brown pubescence. Fronds 12-24 in. long, and nearly as
broad, deltoid, acuminate, covered with silky, red-brown pubescence,
which is most abundant on the rachises ; lowest pair of pinne often
1 ft. long, deltoid ; lowest pair of pinnules deflexed, much divided,
larger than the others, which are close, lanceolate and cut to the
rachis below into oblong acute, pinnatifid lobes ; segments ovate,
obtuse, toothed. Sori small, numerous ; involucres hairy, usually
ciliated with glandular hairs.

Synonyms.—Lastrea velutina, Hook.; Aspidium velutinum, A.
Rich.

Distribution.—Apparently confined to New Zealand, unless a very
‘similar form from N.E. Australia and Fiji can be referred to the
same species.

This is a tolerably common species throughout New Zealand,
though most abundant and luxuriant in the North Island. It
becomes rather local and limited in its occurrence in South Canter-
bury and Otago districts.

5. N. hispidum, Hook. (Pl. III. figs. 4a and 6.)

Rhizome long, stout, creeping, covered with brown scales. Stipes
12-18 in. long, stout, densely clothed—as are the rachises and cost
—with brownish-black spreading bristles. Fronds 12-18 in. long,
6-12 in. broad, subdeltoid, acuminate, coriaceous ; pinne 3-6 in. long,
lowest pair deltoid, others ovate or lanceolate acuminate; pinnules
‘lanceolate, lowest pair the largest ; segments lanceolate, cut down to
a winged rachis into small oblong or linear, sharply-toothed lobes.
Sori numerous ; involucre flat, orbicular or reniform.

Synonyms.—Polystichum hispidum, J. Sm.; Polypodium setosum,
Forst.; Aspidium hispidum, Sw.; Lastrea hispida, Moore ; Aspidium
-setosum, Schkuhr.

Distribution.—Rare in Victoria.

This is the most abundant species of the genus in New Zealand,
occurring in forests from North Cape to Stewart Island. It is also
one of the most easily cultivated.

6. N. unitum, #. Br.

Rhizome stout, creeping. Stipes 12-18 in. long, brownish, glabrous
-or slightly chaffy at the base. Fronds 1-3 ft. long, 6-8 in. broad,
ovate-oblong, simply pinnate, rather coriaceous, pubescent or
glabrous ; pinnz 3-6 in. long, 4 in. broad, cut a third or half-way to
the midrib into spreading, triangular, acute lobes. Veins pinnate in
-each lobe, with 6-8 veinlets on each side, united with the veinlets of
.adjoining lobes into a vein leading to the sinus. Sori near the end
of the veinlets, usually in a row near the margin of the lobes ;

84 1,—FILICES. [Wephrodiwm:

involucre orbicular-reniform, or almost peltate, very small and
deciduous.

Synonyms.—N. propinquum, FR. Br.; Aspidium unitum, Sw.; A.
gongylodes, Schkuhr ; A. serra, Schk.; Polypodium unitum, LZ.

Distribution —A common tropical fern occurring throughout the-
warmer parts of America, Africa, Asia, Australia and Polynesia.

In this colony it is extremely local and restricted in its range,.
being found only in the immediate neighbourhood of the hot springs
and lakes of the North Island. It is found in immense profusion
on the terraces at Rotomahana, and also at Otumakokori and
‘Waipihi to the south, while it is also said to occur about hot springs.
near Maketu. Mr. Kirk suggests its probable occurrence in the hot
spring district lying to the south of L. Taupo.

This species requires indoor cultivation, and thrives well in a firm
soil composed of two parts peat, one loam and one sand.

7. N. molle, Desv.

Rhizome short and thick, horizontal. Stipes 1-2 ft. long, rather-~
slender, green. Fronds tufted, 1-2 ft. long, 8-12 in. broad, lanceo-
late, pinnate, rather membranous and flaccid, pubescent on both
surfaces ; pinne spreading, 3-6 in. long, # in. broad, cut about half-
way to the midrib into oblong, obtuse, slightly falcate lobes; veins
pinnate, with 6-8 veinlets on each side, the lowest uniting in a
veinlet running to the sinus. Sori usually in two rows, distant from
the midrib ; capsules naked.

Synonyms.—Polypodium molle, Forst.; Aspidium molle, R. Br.;
A. nymphale, Forst.; besides a number of other names given to forms
of the same variable plant in other parts of the world.

Distribution.—Common in tropical America and Africa ; also in.
Southern Asia and Australia.

It is only known certainly from one locality in New Zealand—
viz., on the banks of the Otumakokori or boiling river, at the foot of
the Paeora Range in the North Island, and there it occurs sparingly.
In the “ Handbook Fl. N.Z.” it is said to be found at Rotomahana,,.
and has also been recorded from Whangarei by Mr. Robert Mair, but
both localities are disputed by Mr. Kirk.

Like the last, this is essentially a tropical fern, and requires the
shelter of a house for its successful growth—at least in most parts of”
the South Island. It is an easily cultivated species, and is a familiar:
plant in English ferneries.

Genus XXIL—NEPHROLEPIS,* Schott. (Pl. IIL fig. 5.)

Fronds pinnate, coriaceous ; pinne articulated at the base, often
deciduous, with minute white waxy dots on the upper surface, veins.

* Gr. Nephros, a kidney, and lepis, a scale, from the shape of the involucre.

a

Nephrolepis| 1,—FILICES. 85

free. Sori dorsal, arising from the apex of the upper branch of a
vein, generally near the edge. Involucre reniform or rounded.

1. N. cordifolia, Presi.

Rhizome almost wanting, emitting long wiry fibres. Stipes stout,
wiry, 1-4 in. long, slightly scaly. Fronds tufted, 1-3 ft. long, 14-2 in.
‘broad, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, rather coriaceous ; pinne 4-1 in.
long, close-set, oblong, obtuse, entire or slightly crenate on the
margin, the under side rounded or cordate at the base, the upper
distinctly auricled. Sori in a single row, half-way between the
margin and midrib; involucre firm, reniform, brown or blackish,
oblique or opening towards the outer edge.

Synonyms.—N. tuberosa, Presi.; N. pectinata, Schott ; Aspidium
cordifolium, Swartz; A. tuberosum, Bory, &c.

Distribution.—Common in the tropical regions of the New and Old
‘World ; also in N.S. Wales and Queensland.

This fern is another of those tropical species which apparently were
at one time spread over the northern parts of the North Island, but
are now only able to maintain their ground where the hot springs
keep up a sort of artificial tropics. It occurs only in two localities
in New Zealand—viz., at Otumakokori and at Tapuaeharuru, both in
the hot lake district. In the former place it is abundant, but only
in such spots as are influenced by the warm water of the river.

With the shelter of a greenhouse, it may be easily cultivated,
requiring abundance of water and good drainage. It is a very
elegant fern.

In, tropical America and India the fibres of the rhizome bear
ovoid, scaly tubers, which constitute an article of food.

Genus XXIIL—POLYPODIUM,* Z. (Pl. III. figs. 6 and 7,
and frontispiece.)

Rhizome usually creeping, sometimes erect or almost wanting.
Fronds simple, pinnate or compound ; venation various. Sori round
or rarely oblong, dorsal, without an involucre.

The largest genus of ferns, but broken up by many authors into
several distinct genera. Thus the ten species recorded below belong
—according to Mr. J. Smith’s classification—to no less than seven
genera.

(I. Phegopteris).— Veins free. Fronds
2-8-pinnate, with pinnatifid pin-
nules ; stipes, rachis and surface
with reddish glandular pubescence... 1. P. punctatum.

* Gr. Polys, many, pous, a foot, from the numerous branches or stipes of
some of the species.

86 1.—FILICES. [ Polypodiem

(II. Goniopteris). — Veins pinnate, the
lower veinlets of contiguous groups
joining. Fronds pinnate, mem-
branous, glabrous ... ... ... .. 2, P. pennigerum.

(IIL. Eupolypodium).—Veins free. Fronds entire, pinnatifid or
pinnate.

Rhizome short, creeping. Fronds entire.
Sori oblong or linear (Grammitis)... 3. P. australe.

Rhizome almost 0. Fronds pinnatifid... 4. P. grammitidis.

Rhizome long, slender, climbing. Fronds
pinnate, pendulous (Arthropteris) ... 5. P. tenellum.

(IV. Niphobolus).—Veins anastomosing, hidden in the frond.

Fronds entire, coriaceous, clothed below
with dense, stellate tomentum ... 6. P. serpens.

(V. Phymatodes).— Veins anastomosing, with free-spreading veinlets
in the areoles. Fronds glabrous.

Rhizome short. Fronds tufted, ie
entire, lanceolate... ... .. 7. P, cunninghamii..

Rhizome slender, climbing, one with
squarrose scales. Fronds entire or
pinnatifid, membranous... ... ... 8. P. pustulatum.

Rhizome stout, climbing, covered ith
appressed ‘scales. Fronds entire or
pinnatifid, coriaceous... .. 9. P. billardieri.

Rhizome thick, creeping, roa with
shaggy, spreading scales. Fronds
large, thinly coriaceous, pinnatifid
above, pinnate below; lobes long,
linear. Sori rather small ... ... 10. P. nove-zelandiz.

1. P. punctatum, Thunberg ; var. rugulosum.

Le Rhizome stout, creeping, more or less villous or hispid and scaly.
£ Stipes 1-2 ft. long, firm, ‘and together with the rachises red- or
.,purple-brown and covered with glandular pubescence. Fronds
scattered, 3-4 ft. long, 3 in. - 2 ft. broad, also more or less glandular
and viscid, herbaceous ; pinne in distant pairs, oblong, acuminate ;
pinnules close, 4-2 in. long, oblong, or linear- oblong, obtuse, crenate
or pinnatifid with rounded segments, veins pinnate with free-forked
branches. Sori orbicular in two rows near the margin of the
pinnules, often covering the whole under-surface.
A variable fern, very difficult to distinguish from Hypolepis tenui-
folium ; in the latter, however, the sori are strictly on the margin,
and are more or less covered by the recurved tooth of the frond or

Polypodium] I.—FILICES. 87

pseudo-involucre ; while in the present species the sorus is at some
little distance from the margin and on a veinlet. When the fructi-
fication is young, these characters are usually sufficiently distinctive,
but in older specimens this is not the case. Large specimens are
usually 3-pinnate, or rarely 4-pinnate at the base.

Synonyms.—P. rugulosum, Labill.; P. viscidum, Spreng.; Phegop-
teris rugulosa, #ée ; Cheilanthes ambigua, A. Rich.

Distribution.—The typical form is widely distributed, occurring in
great part of S. America, Japan, many of the Pacific Islands, Malay
Archipelago, India, Australia, and several islands of the Indian and
South Atlantic Oceans.

This is a very common fern throughout the whole of New Zealand,
occurring chiefly in woods or on their margins, and springing up
freely in bush clearings. It thrives very readily in cultivation, but
is a little difficult to transplant successfully, unless very young plants
are lifted. Once established, it spreads rapidly.

2. P. pennigerum, Forst. (Pl. III. fig. 6.)

Rhizome 6-12 in. high, erect, woody and covered with the bases of
old stipes. Stipes 6-12 in. long, stout, glabrous, scaly at the very
hase. Fronds tufted, 2-3 ft. high, glabrous, membranous, pinnate,
except the top, which is pinnatifid; pinne 4-8 in. long, ? in. broad,
cut about half-way down into broad, blunt, slightly faleate lobes,
which are entire or faintly crenated on their margins; veinlets 6-8
on a side, free, except the lowest pairs, which unite at the sinuses.
Sori numerous on the veinlets, nearer the costa than the margin.

Synonyms.—Goniopteris pennigera, J. Sm. ; G. forsteri, Moore ;,
Aspidium pennigerum, Swartz. PD.

Distribution.—Confined to New Zealand and the Chatham Islands,
though closely allied to P. tetragonwm, Sw., an American species. It
is common from N. Cape to Foveaux Straits, occurring chiefly in
woods and on the margins of streams. As a rule, it does not occur
at any great distance from the coast. Mr. Potts records specimens
with a trunk, or rootstock, 27 in. long, and 9 in. in circumference,
hearing fronds 5-6 ft. long. It is an easily cultivated species, thriving
best in rich vegetable loam with a plentiful supply of water, and in
a shaded locality.

3. P. australe, Iettenius.

Rhizome short, creeping, scaly, forming a dense tuft. Fronds
tufted, 1-12 in. long, simple, linear or oblanceolate, subacute or
obtuse, coriaceous, gradually tapering to a very short winged stipes,
naked or slightly ciliate on the margins ; veins free, concealed in the
frond, diverging from the midrib. Sori oblong or linear, oblique,
close, in 1 row on each side of the midrib.

88 I.—FILICES. [Polypodium,

Synonyms.—Grammitis australis, R. Br., G. billardieri, Willd. ;
G. ciliatum, Col. ; G. rigida and G. humilis, Homb. et Jacg. ; Poly-
podium diminutum, Baker.

Distribution Southern extremity of America and adjoining
islands, Tristan d’Acunha, Australia, New Caledonia.

Very common in New Zealand from N. Cape to Stewart Island,
usually occurring on tree trunks, rocks, &c. This is a somewhat
difficult fern to cultivate, but well-rooted plants—if gathered with
portions of the wood or bark to which they are attached in their
native habitats—may be very effectively grown in baskets or wire
cylinders filled with peat; or they may be planted in shallow pans
filled with loose peaty soil, and kept rather moist.

4, P. grammitidis, 2. Br.

Rhizome very short, scaly. Stipes 1-2 in. long, slightly winged.
Fronds tufted, 4-12 in. long, coriaceous, glabrous, linear-oblong or
lanceolate, pinnatifid to the rachis, almost pinnate; pinne 4-2 in.
long, the longest in the middle of the frond, linear, entire or pin-
natifid, decurrent at the base; veins sunk in the frond, simple or
forked. Sori oblong, numerous, usually 1 to each lobe.

Synonyms.—Grammitis heterophylla, Labill. ; Xiphopteris heter-
ophylla, Spreng. ; Ctenopteris grammitidis.

Distribution.—Tasmania and Victoria. Also found in the Chatham

Islands.
’ A common fern in New Zealand woods, where it grows on the
trunks of trees. It ranges from N. Cape to Stewart Island, and
ascends to over 3,000 ft. in both islands. It is often very variable
in form, the fronds being sometimes only lobed below and toothed
above, while others occur distinctly bipinnatifid. The mode of
cultivation recommended for the preceding species is applicable for
this also, though it grows more readily under pot culture in the
moist atmosphere of a fern-house.

5. P. tenellum, “orst.

Rhizome long, slender, woody, scaly when young, climbing high
trees. Stipes 2-3 in. long, slender, smooth and polished, jointed
near the base. Fronds scattered, pendulous, 1-2 ft. or more long,
lanceolate, pinnate, membranous and bright-green ; pinne alternate,
distant, 2-3 in. long, linear-lanceolate, entire or sinuate, unequal at
the base; veins 2-3, forked, one fork bearing the sorus, the other
again forked. Sori orbicular, small, forming a row near the margin.

Synonyms.—Arthropteris tenella, J. Sm.; Polypodium filipes,
Moore.

Distribution.— Australia and New Caledonia.
_ In New Zealand it is almost confined to the North Island, where
it is plentiful in the woods. The only locality in the South Island

Polypodium] I.—FILICES. 89

in which it has been found is Banks’ Peninsula, and it is very rare
there.

6. P. serpens, Fors.

Rhizome wide-creeping, slender, firm, covered with narrow acum-
inate reddish scales. Stipes 3-3 in. long, firm. Fronds simple,
entire, of two forms, the barren obovate or orbicular, 1-3 in. long,
the fertile longer and narrower, 2-6 in. long, all thick and coriaceous,
and coated below with a thick whitish or rusty, stellate tomentum ;
veins hidden. Sori large, numerous, irregularly scattered, often
becoming confluent and covering the upper half of the frond.

Synonyms.—P. rupestre, Br. ; P. stellatum, A. Rich. , P. eleeagni-
folium, Bory. ; P. confluens, Hook. ; Niphobolus rupestris, Kaulf. ;
NN. contluens, Bail.

Distribution.—Westwards to Australia; eastward through the ©
‘South Pacific Islands to Tahiti. Also in the Chatham Islands. ;

A most abundant fern in New Zealand from N. Cape to Stewart
Island, and ranging from sea-level to between 3,000 and 4,000 ft.
It is always found creeping on the trunks of trees or on rocks, and
is an easily cultivated species. Its stellate hairs are favourite
microscopic objects.

7. P. cunninghamii, Hook.

Rhizome short, creeping, covered with large, dull-brown, lanceolate
scales. Fronds tufted, glabrous, coriaceous, 6-12 in. long, $-2 in.
broad, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, quite entire, gradually narrowing
to a short, winged stipes ; veins anastomosing, without free veinlets
in the areoles. Sori large, prominent, round or oblong in one row
nearer the midrib than the edge.

Synonyms.—P. attenuatum, Hook. ; Dictymia lanceolata, J. Sm.

Distribution.—New Hebrides.

In New Zealand this fern is more limited in its range than others ’
of the same group. It is common in the North Island, ascending to
2,500 ft. ; in the South Island, we are informed on the authority of
Banks and Solander in Hooker’s ‘‘Handbook,” it occurs as far south as
Akaroa. It does not appear to have been gathered again at the last-
named locality. According to Mr. Potts it grows near Nelson,
which is the only other locality I knowin the South Island. It
usually grows on the trunks of trees or on rocks, but is sometimes
found with a terrestrial habitat on the banks of streams.

8. P. pustulatum, Forst.

Rhizome long, woody, slender, copiously-branched, climbing tall
trees, clothed with linear, dark-brown, squarrose scales. Stipes 1-3
in. long, slender, glabrous. Fronds variable, firmly membranous,
sometimes entire, 3-9 in. long, 4-3 in. broad, gradually narrowing to
both ends, or 8-18 in. long and more or less deeply pinnatifid into

90 1.—-FILICES. [Polypodium

distant, lanceolate, acuminate segments ; veins with large, irregular:
areoles and copious free veinlets. Sori rather small, immersed, in
one row, nearer the margin than the midrib.

Synonyms.—P. membranifolium, Br. ; P. scandens, Forst.; Phyma-
_ todes pustulata, Presi. ; Pleopeltis pustulata, Moore.

“~ Distribution.—Australia, from Victoria to Queensland, and in
Norfolk Island. Also in the Chatham Islands.

A widely-ranging species in both islands of New Zealand ;.
abundant in the North Island and northern parts of the South
Island, but not very common in Otago. At the Thames it is.
abundant up to 2,000 ft. It is a fragrant fern, and was used by the
Maories for scenting oil, é&c.

9. P. billardieri, Br. (Pl. III. fig. 7, and frontispiece.)

Rhizome stout, woody, creeping widely, with ovate-acuminate
appressed scales. Stipes 4-8 in. long, firm, glossy. Fronds varying
in shape, 3-18 in. long, lanceolate or oblong and quite entire, or
more or less deeply pinnatifid, with lanceolate or linear lobes ; erect
or pendulous, coriaceous; glabrous; veins irregular, with free
veinlets in the areoles. Sori large, immersed, in one row inter-
mediate between the margin and midrib, or nearer the former.

Synonyms.—P. scandens, Labill.; P. diversifolium, Willd. ;
Phymatodes billardieri, Pres’. ; Niphobolus glaber, Kaulf.

hes Distribution.—Tasmania, Australia, and apparently New Cale-
-donia. Also in the Chatham, Auckland and Campbell Islands.

An abundant fern throughout New Zealand, ranging from N. Cape
to Stewart Island, and ascending to 3,000 ft. Like the last, it is.
almost an epiphyte, but is frequently found growing on rocks or even
on the ground. It is most readily cultivated.

10. P. novee-zelandiz, Baker.

Rhizome stout, woody, as thick as the forefinger, densely clothed.
with large tawny ovate-lanceolate spreading scales. Stipes 6-12 in.
long, glabrous, erect, glossy. Fronds 1-2 ft., rarely 3-4 ft. long,
8-12 in. broad, cut above nearly to the rachis into numerous linear:
acuminate lobes, below almost pinnate; lobes 5-20 on each side,
4-8 in. long, } in. wide, entire, thinly coriaceous ; veins indistinct,
with large areoles and free included veinlets. Sori rather small, in
one row, nearer the margin than the midrib.

Distribution.—Only found in the forest regions of the North”,
Island. First discovered (in 1877) by Mr. T. F. Cheeseman on
Pirongia, and again on Karioi, between Raglan and Aotea, at about &
2,000 ft. elevation. Apparently also the same species has been
found by Mr. H. C. Field in the forest country to the west of
Ruapehu. It grows chiefly on rotten logs, seldom on the ground,
but apparently does not climb trees.

Notochlena] I.—FILICES. 9r

Genus XXIV._NOTOCHLBNA,* Br. (Pl. III. fig. 8.)

Fronds 2- or 3-pinnate, usually small, stiff, erect ; pinnz small..
Veins forked from the midrib or from the base of the segment.
Sori marginal, at first oblong or rounded, ultimately confluent into a
continuous marginal line, without a distinct involucre, but with the
margin of the frond frequently inflexed.

A small genus differing from Cheilanthes only in the absence of a
distinct involucre ; connected with it by intermediate gradations.
The original name Votholena of Brown’s has been altered by most.
botanists to Votochlena.

1. N. distans, Br.

Rhizome very short, stout, scaly. Stipes 1-5 in. long, wiry,
chestnut-brown, more or less clothed with linear, reddish scales.
Fronds tufted, erect, rigid, 6-9 in. long, #1 in. broad, linear,
2-pinnate, upper surface dark-green and villous, lower surface and.
rachis covered with linear, reddish scales; pinne opposite, 4-1 in.
long, deltoid or ovate, the lower distant; pinnules in few pairs,
lower pinnatifid, with recurved margins. Sori forming an almost
continuous line.

Synonym.—Cheilanthes distans, A. Brown.

Distribution.—Tasmania, Australia and New Caledonia.

A local fern in New Zealand. In the North Island it occurs:
chiefly in the volcanic districts, growing on basaltic rocks, for which,
it seems to have a preference. Thus it is abundant at ‘Rangitoto,,
Titirangi and some other parts of the Auckland district, north to,
Whangarei, In the South Island it has been recorded from several;
localities in the Canterbury district, ascending to 3,000 feet. It does,
not appear to be at all common, however. Itisa very hardy species,
thriving in dry, stony soil under a blazing sun.

Genus XXV.—_GYMNOGRAMME,} Desv. (Pl. III. fig. 9.)

Rhizome short and tufted. Fronds pinnate or 2- or 3-pinnate ;
veins free or anastomosing. Sori linear or oblong, simple or forked,.
without any involucre, on the veins diverging from the midrib.

Perennial.—Fronds usually 2-pinnatifid,
covered underneath with scaly hairs 1. G. pozoi.

Annual.—Fronds 2- or 3-pinnate, ae
membranous, glabrous... .. 2. G. leptophylla.
1. G. pozoi, Kunze ; var. ruteefolia, Br. (Pl. IIL. fig. 9a.)

Rhizome short and stout. Fronds tufted, 1-5 in. long, linear or
ovate-oblong, obtuse, membranous, densely covered below with soft,.

* Gr. Nothos, spurious ; chiewna, a cloak; from the imperfect involucre.
+ Gr. Gymnos, naked ; gramma, a line; from the naked linear sori.

‘92 I,—FILICES. [Gymnogramme

‘brown, scaly hairs, some of which are glandular and are continued
down the slender, brittle stipes ; pinne obliquely ovate or almost fan-
shaped, }-4 in. long and broad, with a few deep, blunt lobes ; veins
flabellate. Sori chiefly in the middle of the pinne, sometimes almost
-covering the whole surface.

Synonyms.—G. rutefolia, Hook. ; G. papaverifolia, Kunze ; G. sub-
glandulosa, Hook. and Gr.; G. alpina, 7. H. Potts; Grammitis
rutefolia, R. Br.

Distribution—The typical form only occurs in South-eastern
Europe, but var. rwtwfolia ranges over the whole of Australia and
‘Tasmania. A variety with more deeply cut pinne (G. papaverifolia)
-oceurs in Chili.

The range of the species in New Zealand is very restricted. It
was originally found by Colenso ‘“‘on cliffs near Cook Straits,” but
I do not know the exact locality. It also occurs sparingly on the
Southern Alps, at about 3,000 ft. elevation. This alpine form has
recently (Trans. N.Z. Inst.,” vol. x. p. 361) been described by Mr.
Potts as a new species.

2. G. leptophylla, Desvaux. (PI. III. fig. 9.)

A slender annual. Stipes 1-4 in. long, slender, glossy, chestnut-
brown. Fronds tufted, perfectly glabrous and thinly membranous in
texture, 2-6 in. long, 1-14 in. broad, ovate or deltoid, the outer smaller
and often barren, 2- or 3-pinnate ; pinnz obovate-cuneate, cut to the
centre into obtuse linear or oblong lobes ; veins flabellate. A single
vein and linear sorus carried into each ultimate lobe.

Synonynt.—Grammitis nove-zelandiz, Colenso.

Distribution.—Widely dispersed over the temperate and sub-
tropical regions of both worlds, occurring in various parts of Europe,
Africa and Asia ; also in the Andes, and over great part of Australia
and Tasmania.

Occurring rather locally in various districts of New Zealand,
chiefly in hilly or rocky places at no great distance from the sea. In
the North Island it is found commonly at the head of Manukau
Harbour ; also, more rarely, near Auckland, near Napier and Cape
Kidnappers on the E. Coast. It also occurs about the Thames and
near Wellington. In the South Island it is abundant near Lyttel-
ton, and in some other parts of the Canterbury district. In Otago
it occurs in the Upper Clutha district, near Cromwell, and sparingly
near Dunedin.

Genus XX VI.—_TODEA,* Willd. (Pl. ITI. fig. 10.)

Rhizome erect. Fronds tufted, large, 2- or 3-pinnate. Capsules
2-valved, globose, opening across the apex, furnished with a short,

* In honour of Henry Julius Tode, a mycologist of Mecklenburg.

Todea] 1.—FILICES. 93:

obscure, horizontal ring, collected in sori or clustered irregularly on
the under-surface of the segments.

I.—Eutodea. Texture of the frond coriaceous.
Fronds 2-8 ft. long, 2-pinnate.... .... 1. T. barbara.

IL.—Leptopteris, Presl. Texture of the frond thinly-membranous
and pellucid.

Lowest pinnules as long as the others,
so that the base of the frond is
truncate 4.0... ... .. .. 2 T. hymenophylloides..

Lowest pinnules smaller than those
above, so that the frond gradually
narrows to its base ... ... .... 3. T. superba.

1. T. barbara, Jfoore. (PI. III. fig. 10.)

Stem erect, often forming a stout trunk, 4 or 5 ft. high. Stipes
1 ft. long or more, stout, pale-brown, quadrangular, glabrous and
smooth. Fronds 3-8 ft. long, 2- pant glabrous, coriaceous ; pinnze
linear, erecto-patent, 6-9 in. long, 14-2 in. broad ; . pinnules close,.
alternate, linear, 1-14 in. long, 4-} in. beoad, crenate or serrate on
the margins, the upper with sessile (often "decurrent) bases. Sori
dense on the lower pinnules of the lower pinnz, when mature filling
up nearly the whole under-surface.

Synonyms.—T. africana, Willd. ; T. rivularis, Sted. ; Osmunda
barbara, Thun.

Distribution. — Australia, Tasmania and 8. Africa.

Only found in New Zealand in the North Auckland district, where
it is not uncommon from N. Cape to Bay of Islands and Whangaroa.
Mr. T. H. Potts states that in sheltered spots this is a sufficiently
hardy fern to stand the winter of Canterbury, and that he has grown
it in the open fernery for some years.

2. T. hymenophylloides, Fach. and Less,

Rhizome short, rarely as much as 2 ft. high, stout, creeping or
erect. Stipes 6- 12in. long, erect, glabrous or more or less tomentose.
Fronds tufted, 1-2 ft. long, 6-12 in. broad, ovate-lanceolate or deltoid,
2-pinnate, pellucid-membranous ; pinnee close, linear-lanceolate, 4-6:
in. long, 3-1} in. broad, the rachis winged towards the apex only, the:
Inwest : as rious bs those above them ; pinnules close, shortly stalked,
linear-oblong, 1 |-2 in. long, } in. broad, cut almost to the rachis into-
simple or forked linear segments.

Synonyms.—t. pellucida, Hook. ; Leptopteris hymenophylloides,.
Presi. &

Distribution.—Confined to New Zealand, where it is common in”
all wooded parts. This fern is easily cultivated, provided it be~

94 1,—FILICES, [Todea

grown in a shady spot, protected from wind. It is one of the most
beautiful species we have, and should be found in every fernery. In
collecting specimens for the herbarium, the fronds should be placed
between drying papers as soon as gathered, as they quickly shrivel
and become so curled up as to lose their beauty. This remark is
even more applicable to the next species. at

8. T. superba, Colenso. (Crape-fern.)

Rhizome erect, woody, 12-18 in. high, crowned by the tufted
fronds. Stipes 2-3 in. long, naked ; rachises with dense tomentum.
Fronds erect, 2-4 ft. long, 5-10 in. broad in the middle, 3-pinnatifid ;
pinne crowded, 3-5 in. long, linear-lanceolate, the lower ones
becoming gradually shorter ; pinnules crowded, sessile, }-? in. long,
linear-oblong, cut nearly to the rachis into linear simple or forked

segments, which are often densely crowded and crisped, so as to
completely hide the rachis.

Synonym.—Leptopteris superba, [ook.

Distribution.—Like the last, with which it is closely connected by?7
intermediates, this species is confined to New Zealand (ranging to
the Auckland Islands in the §.), but is somewhat local in its
occurrence. It is found chiefly in the mountain districts of the
North Island, from Pirongia in the N. to Wellington in the 8,
at elevations varying from 2,000 to 3,500 ft. In the South Island,
and particularly along the West Coast forest regions, it is much
more common, up to 3,000 ft. It is rare in Canterbury Province
and local in the eastern part of Otago, but in the large forest-
covered districts near Invercargill it is common at about sea-level.
The delicate and fragile nature of the fronds renders this fern
-unsuitable for out-door cultivation, as the least breath of dry wind
shrivels it up; it may grow, but it will not thrive unless in the
shelter and shade of a suitable house. When growing, this is one of
‘the most beautiful of the New Zealand species, but the thicker and
more crisped the fronds, the sorrier do they look in the herbarium.

nx

Genus XXVIL—SCHIZAA,* Smith. (Pl. III. fig. 11.)

Rhizome short, creeping. Fronds erect, linear, simple or forked,
usually terminated by separate fertile segments arranged in a close
comb-like manner ; stipes erect, rigid. Capsules in 2 rows, sessile

on one side of the pinnules, ovoid or globular, 2-valved, opening
Jaterally, crowned by a complete ring.

Fronds terete or subterete, not forked.
Fronds 1-3 in. long; fertile segment }

in. long ; spikes about 6 1. S. australis,

* Gr. Schizo, I split, from the divided fronds.

Schizea] I.—FILICES. 95

Fronds 4-12 in. long; fertile segment
$-1 in. long; spikes 10-20 ... ... 2. 8. fistulosa.

Fronds terete or semiterete, forked.
Fronds 6-18 in. long; once or twice

forked ... 0... 0. ce vee vee «68. SS. bifida.
Fronds flattened, _flabellately forked
above see eee nee nee eee) 64 S, dichotoma.

1. S. australis, Gaudichaud.

“ Stipes dense, very short, dark chestnut-brown, passing gradually
into the wiry subterete frond, which is 1-2 in. long, about } line
thick, simply channelled in front; fertile segment suberect, } in.
long, unilateral, with about 6 short stout nearly spreading spikes
on each side, the lowest 4 in. long.”

Synonyms.—S. palmata and §. pectinata, Hombr. et Jacg.; 8.
fistulosa, var. Australis, Hook. f.

Distribution. —- Falkland and Auckland Islands, which latter
habitat being in the New Zealand region and frequently visited
(which the Kermadec Islands are not) by whalers, sealers, and
others, I have thought it advisable to include this little Antarctic
‘species in my list. I have not seen the plant, the description being
taken from the ‘‘ Synopsis Filicum.”

2. 8. fistulosa, Zabdill, (Pl. IIL. fig. 11a.)

Stipes simple, terete, deeply grooved in front, chestnut-brown,
passing gradually into the frond, which is 4-12 in. long (rarely as
much as 20 in.), rigid, rush-like, 25-5 in. diam. ; fertile segment
4-1 in. long, suberect, with 8-20 close slender pinnules on each side,
4-4 in. long, whose edges are torn and toothed.

Synonyms.—S. valdiviana, Phil.; 8. bifida, Hook. f. (in part); S.
propinqua, A. Cunn. (in part).

Distribution.—Australia, Tasmania, New Caledonia, Chili and
Madagascar ; also in Chatham Islands.

A plant of wide range, but of local occurrence in New Zealand,
and usually found growing in miserably cold, wet, or poor soils. In
the North Island, it occurs from Whangarei and Bay of Islands to
the Thames, chiefly in Manuka scrub, and in the latter locality
ascending to 2,000 ft. In the South Island, it has been gathered in
Canterbury and on the W. Coast of Otago. I have myself gathered
it, in a stunted condition, in peaty swamps in Stewart Island, at the
head of Paterson Inlet.

The plants of this genus are most difficult to cultivate, and, with
one or two exceptions, are not to be found even in the best-stocked
ferneries of England. Our species form no exception to this rule.

96 1, —FILICES. [Schizcea

3. S. bifida, Swartz.

Stipes dense, chestnut-brown, passing gradually into the terete
frond, which is 6-18 in. long, once forked at or below the middle,
rarely forked again or undivided, wiry or rush-like, narrowly-winged,
midrib scabrous, about 15 in. thick ; fertile segments suberect or
recurved, 4-3 in. long, fruiting-spikes 10-20, slender, closely-packed,
erecto-patent, the lowest 4-3 in, long, margins ciliated.

Distribution.—Tasmania and Australia.

In New Zealand this species is confined to the N. Island, and
ranges from Whangarei and the Bay of Islands to the Thames, where
it ascends to 2,000 ft. It is usually to be found on wretchedly cold,
poor clay soils.

4, S. dichotoma, Swartz. (Pl. III. fig. 11.)

Stipes 6-12 in. long, firm, erect, glossy, channelled on the face
above. Fronds fanlike in outline, 6-9 in. each way, flattened, many
times dichotomously forked, the ultimate divisions }, - 74, in. broad.
Fruiting segments }-4 in. long, with 4-10 very narrow and contiguous.
fruiting spikes, 11, - 4 in. long, with laciniate margins.

Synonyms.—S. forsteri, Spreng.; 8. cristata, Willd.; &e.

Distribution.—Mauritius, Reunion, India, Malacca, Philippines,
Australia, Polynesian Islands and tropical America.

Only found in the Kauri forests of the North Island, from
Auckland to Bay of Islands; and on some of the islands in the
Hauraki Gulf. It is said to have been gathered at Banks’ Peninsula,
but the locality is not a probable one.

Genus XXVITIL—LYGODIUM,* Swartz. (Pl. IV. fig. 1.)

Climbing ferns, with long twining stems. Fronds dichotomously
branched, usually in divaricate shortly-stalked pairs ; veins free,
forked. Capsules solitary in the axils of imbricating scales or
involucres, which are arranged in distichous spikes projecting from
the frond.

ay
1. L. articulatum, dA. Rich. fe ie

Rhizome slender, covered with brown scales. Stems 50-100 ft.
long, climbing to the tops of forest-trees. Fronds quite glabrous,
rather coriaceous, much branched; primary petiole 1-4 in. long,
secondary 1-3 in. long; barren pinnules twice forked, each bearing
4 linear or oblong segments, which are 2-3 in. long, about 4 in.
broad, and are jointed on to a short petiole; fertile pinnules short,
many times dichotomously divided, with densely-clustered short
spikes.

* Gr., Lygodes, flexible or pliant.

Lygodium) I.—FILICES. 97

Distribution.—Confined to New Zealand, where it occurs (in the
North Island only) from N. Cape to the latitude of E. Cape,
ascending at the Thames, and on Pirongia, to about 2,500 ft. It is
only found in the bush or on its outskirts.

The twining stems have long been used by the Maories for all
purposes for which rope is now used; they are very tough and
enduring.

This fern grows well under cultivation, but requires the shelter
of a greenhouse in most parts of the South Island. It should have a
good firm mould to grow in, and lattice or trellis-work to grow upon,
which it will soon cover with its elegant fronds.

Genus XXIX.—MARATTIA,* Smith. (PI. IV. fig. 2.)

Rhizome large, thick and tuberous. Stipes very stout, jointed to
the rhizome, and furnished at the base with a pair of large flap-like
auricles or stipules. Fronds large, 2- or 3-pinnate. Capsules com-
pletely united in 2 rows in oblong, boat-shaped sori (synangia), which
are placed in a continuous row near the margins and terminating the,
veins, and which open by slits down their inner faces, exposing a
number of transverse openings leading to the cells containing the
spores. In the only N.Z. species the sorus is furnished with an
obscure fimbriated inferior involucre.

1. M. fraxinea, Smith. [a= " fara. (Chem

Ara Vahl ”

Stipes 1-2 ft. long, 1-1} in. thick, smooth, deciduously scaly and
swollen in the lower part. Fronds 6-12 ft. long, deltoid, coriaceous,
dark-green, 2-pinnate, rarely 3-pinnate ; pinne 1-2 ft. long; pinnules
3-8 in. long, $- 14 in. broad, lanceolate or linear-oblong, acuminate,
serrate or entire, rounded or cuneate at the base; veins parallel,
simple or forked. Sori j;-+'; in. long, submarginal, with 6-12
capsules on each side.

Synonym.—M. salicina, Smith ; &e., &e.

Distribution.—Spread over the tropical regions of the Old World,
and extending south beyond the tropics in Africa, Australia and
New Zealand. In this colony it only occurs in the forests of the
North Island, ranging from Taranaki on the W.—and which is also
probably its southern limit—to the North Cape. It is only found in
a few widely-separated localities, and is fast becoming very rare.

The rhizome, or rootstock, is a most peculiar feature of this fine
fern. According to Mr. Buchanan, “ it is composed of an irregular
agglomerated mass of thick fleshy scales, each scale formed by the
enlargement of a stipe base—the stipe separating by an articulation
above the swelling.” It contains a large amount of starch, and was
formerly an important article of food—under the name of Para—

* In honour of J. F. Maratti, an Italian writer on Ferns.

98 I.—FILICES. [Marattia

among the Maories; it_is still eaten, probably only when nothin
nation can be obtained, hey Qh fae Ax d pot a :

This fern thrives well under cultivation, but requires protection “
from frost. It should have a deep loamy soil, with good drainage,
but plenty of water. It is readily propagated from the scales of
the rootstock, which can be separated and planted much after the
manner of potatoes.

Orver I.—_QOPHIOGLOSSACEE.
(The characters of the Order are given at p. 17.)

Genus I—OPHIOGLOSSUM,* LZ. (Adder’s-tongue.)
(Pl. IV. fig. 3.)

Stipes solitary, erect, bearing a single frond and a fruiting spike.
Frond leaflike, entire, veins netted. Capsules connate, sessile in 2
rows along the rachis, bursting transversely.

Rootstock slightly tuberous, Frond 1-3in.

long ... Sev 1. O. lusitanicum.
Rootstock not tuberous. Frond 3-12 in.
long... 60. ee wee ee eee ee = OD vulgatum.

1. O. lusitanicum, Z.

Rootstock slightly tuberous. Frond 1-3 in. long, the sterile
portion 3-1 in. long, placed below the centre, linear-lanceolate or
oblong to ovate, obtuse, rarely acute, narrowed below, no midrib,
veins indistinct ; fertile spike }-4 in. long.

Synonyms.—O. gramineum, Willd. ; O. coriaceum, A. Cunn.; O.
minimum, Colenso ; and many others.

Distribution.—Southern Europe, Africa, India, Australia,

Not uncommon in grassy land throughout both islands of New
Zealand.

2. O. vulgatum, Z. (Pl. IV. fig. 3.)

Rootstock not tuberous. Frond 3-12 in. long, the sterile portion
2-4 in. long, 3-2 in. broad, placed about the middle, ovate or ovate-
oblong, midrib and veins more or less distinct ; fertile spike 1-2 in.
long, upon a peduncle about twice as long.

Synonyms.—O. costatum, R. Br. ; O. elongatum, A. Cunn.; &e.

Distribution.—Over the whole north temperate zone, and extending
into India, Africa (to the Cape) and its outlying islands, Java, &c.
Also in the Chatham Islands.

* Gr., Ophios, of # serpent; glossa, the tongue; from the fruiting spike.

Ophioglossum| OPHIOGLOSSACEE. 99

Like the last, this species occurs in moist, grassy ground throughout
both islands. I have followed the ‘Synopsis Filicum” in dividing
our forms of Ophioglosswm into two species; but most collectors
have followed the arrangement in Hooker’s ‘‘ Handbook,” where they
are included under the one name of A. vulgatum, and hence it is not
always easy to recognize which form is intended in the various
localities from which it has been recorded.

In order to grow these ferns, care must be taken in lifting them
to take up the whole sod enclosing them, so as not to disturb
‘the roots. Cultivation, in the ordinary sense of the term, is a course
‘they will not submit to.

Geyus IIL—BOTRYCHIUM,* Swartz. (dMoonwort.)
(Pl. IV. fig. 4.)

Stipes erect, solitary, bearing one pinnate or compound sterile
frond, and one fertile frond with branched spikes arranged in a
compound panicle. Capsules globose, sessile in two rows along the
face of the spikes, separate from one another, bursting transversely.

1. B. ternatum, Swartz.

Stout, rarely slender, 3-18 in. high ; stipes 1-2 in long, sterile frond
3-9 in. each way, deltoid, 3- or 4-pinnatifid, on a distinct petiole 2-4
in. long ; lower pinnz much the largest, and pinnules of the lower
side larger than the others ; ultimate segments oblong or obovate,
-obtuse or acute, slightly toothed. Fertile panicle 1-3 in. long, often
much branched, very compound and deltoid, on a nearly radical
peduncle, which is 3-9 in. long.

Synonyms.—B. Australe, R. Br. ; B. virginianum, Hook. f. ; B.
cicutarium, Swartz; B. lunarioides, Swartz; Osmunda ternata,
Thunb.

Var. dissecteem.—Frond thin and slender, much divided ; ultimate
‘divisions acute and sharply incised.

Distribution.—The typical form is widely spread over extra-
tropical North America, part of Europe, Asia, Australia, and Tas
mania. Var. dzssectwm occurs in North America, as well as in New
Zealand and the Chatham Islands. It is not common, however, with
us, but has been recorded from various localities between North Cape
and Otago. The typical form is common, occurring chiefly in damp,
grassy ground, but exhibiting a wide range in its choice of soils and
the elevation at which it grows. It also sometimes bears as many as
two, or even three, sterile fronds.

If lifted with some of its accompanying sod, this fern soon estab-
lishes itself in the fernery. It is much more readily shifted about
than Ophioglosswm, and is an extremely hardy plant.

* Gr., Botrys, a bunch or cluster, from the fruiting panicle.

100 MARSILEACEA. [Pilularia

Orver I1.—_M ARSILEACEZ.
(The characters of the Order are given at p. 17.)

Genus L—PILULARIA,®* L.

Rhizome filiform, creeping, rooting at the nodes. Barren fronds
reduced to a filiform stipes, few or clustered at the nodes. Invo-
lucres globose, solitary at the nodes, sessile or shortly stalked. Sori
2-4, each enclosed in a membranous sac or covering, which
apparently divides the involucre into 2 or 4 cells. In these cells are
two kinds of spore cases, the lower ones, or macrosporangia,
containing macrospores; the upper, or microsporangia, containing
microspores.

1. P. nove-zelandie, Kirk.

This hitherto uncommon little plant was described and figured by
Mr. Kirk in the “Transactions of the N.Z. Institute,” vol. ix. p.
547, and the following is his description, with the terms slightly
altered :—

Rootstock creeping. Leaves (fronds) solitary, 1-2 inches long,
erect, setaceous. Involucre globose, 2-valved, 2-celled, on an erect
stalk } in. long; microsporangia numerous, pyriform, each containing
20-30 microspores ; macrosporangia 20-25, ovoid, macrospores.
globose or globose-ovoid, regular, not constricted.

Habitat.—Lakes Lyndon and Pearson, Canterbury district, at an
elevation of 2,000-2,800 ft. Apparently also at Whangape Lake,
Waikato, in the North Island.

In general appearance this plant might be taken for a very small
creeping form of grass, but for its little globular involucres.

Orpen IV—_SALVINIE.™.

(The characters of the Order are given at p. 18.)

Genus —AZOLLA, Z.

Plant floating, forming small red patches, consisting of pinnate
fronds, covered with minute imbricating leaves. Roots of simple
solitary threads. Stem consisting of a central cellular axis, with a
few spiral threads, surrounded by a circle of air-cells. Receptacles
very minute, of two kinds, inserted at the base of the fronds; the
larger sort female, ovoid, bursting irregularly, containing a number
of ovoid-stalked capsules (or sporangia) each containing 1 or more

* Lat., Péilula, from the form of the little capsule,

Azolla] SALVINIER, 101

spores ; the smaller sort bursting transversely, containing rounded
antheridia, produced on a central erect column.

The above description is mainly adapted from ‘‘ Hooker’s Hand-
book,” which again had borrowed it from Prof. Gray’s ‘ Manual of
the Botany of the North United States.” The genus is imperfectly
known, the only monograph on the subject being “‘ Ueber Azolla,”
published by Prof. Strasburger, of Jena (in 1873), in which the
affinities and structures are discussed, and four genera are described.
There is no English translation of this work.

1. A. filiculoides, Zam. ; var. rubra

Fronds reddish, ovate-orbicular, or somewhat triangular, }-2 in. in
diameter, pinnate ; branches close-set, almost imbricating, somewhat
palmate. Leaves densely imbricate, ovate, entire, obtuse, j5 in.
long, smooth on the upper surface. Roots longitudinally plumose
beyond the middle.

Synonym.—A. rubra, Br.

Distribution.—Tasmania and Australia.

A very common plant in pools and ditches in most parts of New
Zealand, forming a reddish mantle on the surface of the water. It
is not only a beautiful little plant, but is a most interesting study
under the microscope. In tanks or aquaria containing a sufficient
supply of soil at the bottom of the water it may be grown very
readily, but it requires a constant change of the water.

Oxver V.-LY COPODIACEE.

(The characters of the Order are given at p. 18.)

Minute plant; leaves radical, linear,
surrounding a leafless peduncle
which bears at its apex a short
spike formed of imbricating
scales, each of which covers a

solitary capsule . «. 1, Phylloglossum,
Stems branching, with sraaill ives

usually crowded in 2 or 4 rows.

Capsules solitary in the bracts of

terminal spikes or the upper

leaves of the stem 2. Lycopodium.

Stems leafy, simple; leaves ‘aaliee
large. Capsules 2-celled, solitary
and sessile in the axils of the
leaves ...

ce

Tmesipteris.

102 LYCOPODIACER.

Stems leafless, branched, 3-angled. Cap-
sules 3-celled, lateral on the
branches, usually in the axils of
minute bifid bracts... ... ... 4 Psilotum.

Genus I—PHYLLOGLOSSUM,* Kunze. (Pl. IV. fig. 5.)

A small stemless plant, with a rootstock bearing 2 ovoid tubers,.
and a few fibrous roots from the crown. Leaves and peduncles
radical. Scape terminated by an ovoid spike of 3-gonous, imbricated
scales. Capsules solitary in the axils of the scales, 1- or 2-celled,.
2-valved, filled with minute powdery spores.

1. P. drummondii, Kunze.

Green and glabrous, 1-3 in. high. Leaves 6-10, linear, $4 in.
long. Peduncle usually about twice as long ; scales broad, with an
erect beak, pedicelled at the base.

Synonym.—Lycopodium sanguisorba, Spring.

Distribution. Australia and Tasmania,

This curious little plant is very local in its occurrence, and is
readily overlooked. In the North Island, it occurs—usually in open:

ground—from Auckland to the Bay of Islands; and is said to occur:
in Canterbury district by Mr. Armstrong.

Genus Il.—LYCOPODIUM,} L. (Club-Mosses.) (P1.IV. fig. 6.)

Stems creeping, prostrate or erect. Leaves small, in 2 or 4 rows,.
or imbricating all round the stem. Capsules 1-celled, 2-valved,
reniform, sessile in the axils of the upper leaves, or in the scales of
terminal or lateral spikes. Spores minute and powdery.

The following key to the New Zealand species is chiefly adapted
from Hooker’s ‘‘ Handbook to the N.Z. Flora” :—

I.—Leaves imbricating round the stem, usually 4-4 in. long.
Capsules in the axils of the upper leaves, or in the scales of sessile,.
terminal, tetragonal spokes.

Stems 3-6 in. long, erect, growing in
swamps. Leaves lanceolate, dark-
green. Capsules axillary in the
upper leaves ... 0... eee a. 1. Li. selago.

Stems 6-18 in. long, ascending or pendu-
lous from trees, &c. Leaves linear-
lanceolate. Spikes 1-3 in. long;
bracts variable, usually much longer
than the capsules ... ... ... 4. 2. L. varium.

* Gr., Phyllon, a leaf; glossa, the tongue ; from the shape of the leaves..
+ Gr., Lykos, a wolf; pous, a foot ; from some imaginary resemblance.

Lycopodium] LYCOPODIACEZ. 103

Stems 2-4 ft. long, pendulous from trees,
&c. Leaves linear-oblong or -lanceo-
late. Spikes 2-6 in. long; bracts
broad, shorter than the capsules ... 3. L. billardieri.

II.—Leaves under } in. long, imbricating all round the stem.
Spikes cylindrical, sessile.

a, Stems 1-3 ft. long. Spikes terminal.

Stems erect, densely branched. Spikes
4-2 in. long, erect, with squarrose
scales... ck, eee ee ee eee) 4. LL, densum.
' Stems creeping, with spreading or flexuous
branches. Spikes }-} in. long, usually
nodding, with toothed or ciliate scales 5. L. cernuum.

b. Stems 2-4 in. long. Spikes terminal.

Stems procumbent, densely branched.
Spikes 4-} in. long, erect, with
slightly-toothed scales ... ... ... 6. L. ramulosum.

c. Stems 3-10 in. long. Spikes lateral.

Stems branched from the base; branches
slender, erect. Spikes 4-32 in. long,
erect; scales broad, with a short,
acuminate apex ... ... ... ... 7. L, laterale.

ITI. —Leaves under 4 in. long, imbricating all rownd the stem.
Spikes peduncled.
Stems creeping, 2-6 in. long, with few
branches. Spikes 1-2 in. long, on a
stiff lateral peduncle, 1-4 in. long... 8. L. carolinianum.
Stems creeping, 4-10 in. long, with
numerous dense branches. Spikes

1-3 in. long, on short, stout, terminal
peduncles... ... 2. 0. 0. 2. 9 L. clavatum.

IV.—Leaves in two opposite rows, with smaller adnate ones.
Spikes cylindrical, terminal, and sessile.

Stems creeping, 1-2 ft. long. Spikes

solitary or in pairs... ... ... ... 10. L. scariosum.
Stems climbing, 2-10 ft. long. Spikes in
branched panicles ... ... .., 11. L, volubile.

1. L. selago, Z.

Stems 3-6 in. long, erect or slightly decumbent, and rooting at the
base ; stout, and usually forming dense, level-topped tufts. Leaves

104 LYCOPODIACER, [Lycopodiam

densely imbricating, {-4 in. long, lanceolate, with a short sharp point,
dark-green (reddish when dry), erect or spreading. Capsules in the
axils of the upper leaves, which are similar to the stem-leaves, and
not forming a spike.

Distribution.—Common in most arctic, antarctic, and cold moun-
tainous regions of the globe.

In the N. Island of New Zealand this characteristically alpine
club-moss has only been collected in one locality, viz., at Mutokino,
by Mr. Kirk. In the South Island it is common in the mountain
districts, at elevations between 1,500 and 6,000 ft.

2. L. varium, &r.

A very variable plant, intermediate between JZ. selago and B
billardiert, with which latter it is sometimes included as a variety.
Stems 6-18 in. long, decumbent or erect, often pendulous from trees.
Leaves crowded round the stem, linear-lanceolate, obtuse, spreading
or erect, }-4 in. long, dark-green. Spikes 1-4 in. long, solitary or 2
or 3 together, terminal, 4-gonous, usually drooping ; scales 4-4 in.
long, ovate, obtuse.

Synonym.—L. sulcinervium, Spring.

Distribution.—Australia, Tasmania (where it is abundant), and
apparently in 8. Africa and some of the Pacific Islands. Also
occurring in the Chatham, Auckland, and Campbell Islands.

In the mountain districts of both Islands of New Zealand ; com-
mon in Otago up to 6,000 ft. Itis said to be rare in Canterbury,
and has been recorded by Mr. Kirk from Kawau. It is often
confused by collectors with the next species.

3. L. billardieri, Spring.

Stems 2-4 ft. long, usually pendulous from trees, flexuous, and
much branched. Leaves }-3 in. long, linear-oblong or -lanceolate,
obtuse or acute, imbricating all round, rather loosely below, densely
above. Spikes 2-6 in. long, slender, 4-gonous, dichotomously
branched ; scales broadly ovate, obtuse, keeled, often shorter than the
capsules, laxly imbricating.

Synonyms.—L, flagellaria, A. Rich. ; L. phlegmaria, A. Cunn.
(not of Linneus, which is an Australian species).

Distribution.—Confined to New Zealand, where it ranges from the
Bay of Islands to Stewart Island, ascending to 2,500 ft. at the
Thames. It is common wherever there is bush land. According
to Sir J. D. Hooker it “ almost Passes into various tropical forms,
but is not exactly similar to an:

Owing to its tufted habit, this is one of the meek easily cultivated
species of the genus, and should be found in every fernery. It is
very hardy, is easily transplanted, and in a damp, shady situation
forms a very handsome plant. No doubt Z. variwm could be as

Lycopodium] LYCOPODIACEE, 105

easily and satisfactorily cultivated, as its habit is almost exactly
similar.

4. L. densum, Labill.

Rhizome short, stout, creeping. Stems 1-3 ft. high, rigid, erect,
densely branched above ; branches usually erect. Leaves imbricated
all round the stem, the lowest 3-4 in. long, those on the branches
revs in, glanceglate, acuminate or scarious at the tips, appressed,
spreading or squarrose. Spikes 4-3 in. long, numerous, terminal,
erect, and sessile; scales ovate-lanceolate or 3-angular, with
spreading or squarrose, scarious tips. LY

Distribution.—Tasmania, Australia, Norfolk Island, and New ‘
Zealand. Alsoin Chatham Islands.

Common in the northern portion of the N. Island of New Zea-
land, from N. Cape to the Hot Lake district, and ascending to 2,500
feet at the Thames. There is said to be one locality in the South
Island where it occurs, but I am not aware where it is. In its most
robust forms this is the most tree-like species of the genus in this
colony.

5. L. cernuum, L.

Stems stout, 2-3 ft. long, creeping and leafy, sending up numerous
stiff, much-divided branches, 6-12 in. high. Leaves 4 in. long,
subulate, imbricated all round the stem, incurved or spreading.
Spikes 4-} in. long, terminal, cylindric, sessile, nodding; scales ovate-
lanceolate, with long tips, margins scarious, ciliate and serrulate
above, usually imbricating in 8 rows.

Distribution —A common species in all tropical and sub-tropical
regions of the world, and often in favourable localities attaining an
elevation of 5 or 6 ft.

With us its area is a restricted one, ranging from the Thames
River northwards. It occurs in the greatest abundance in the Hot
Lake district, luxuriating in the hot, steamy atmosphere of the
boiling pools and springs.

6. L. ramulosum, Kirk.

“A procumbent plant, forming compact masses; stems 2-4 in. long,
rather stout, repeatedly dichotomously branched ; leaves crowded all
round the stem, imbricated or spreading, 31-4 in. long, narrow-
subulate, coriaceous above, acute or pungent; spikes numerous,
terminal 4-2 in. long, bracts small, sessile, ovate, abruptly acuminate,
slightly toothed.”

Habitat.—Hokitika and Okarita (Westland).
This species is described and figured by Mr. Kirk in the “N.Z.
Inst. Trans.,” vol. xi. p. 456. I do not know it.

106 LYCOPODIACEE. [Lycopodium

7. L. laterale, Br.

Stems prostrate, ascending or erect, 3-12 in. long, simple or
branched; leaves 3-4} in. long, lanceolate-subulate, imbricating all
round the stem, spreading and squarrose; spikes lateral and sessile,
about 4 in. long, brown or yellowish ; bracts small, in about 4 rows,.
broadly ovate, suddenly contracted to a stiff erect point.

Var. diffusum, Br.—Smaller and more rigid ; branches numerous,
ascending. Leaves about 3 in. long; spikes brown.

Distribution.—Tasmania, Australia, and New Caledonia. Also.
found in the Chatham Islands.

A species of wide range in New Zealand, occurring in rather
swampy ground from N. Cape to Stewart Island, but often very
local. Var. diffusum is chiefly alpine in its occurrence, but also.
ranges from sea-level, in Stewart Island and other places, to a consi--
derable elevation.

8. L. carolinianum, JL.

Stems 2-6 in. long, creeping and rooting like rhizomes, as do the
few branches. Leaves 3-4} in. long, narrow lanceolate, curved,
acuminate, crowded all round the stem. Spike 1-2 in. long, cylindric,,
on erect lateral branches (peduncled) 1-4 in. long, which are covered
with small erect leaves; scales broadly-ovate below, with rigid,
spreading points, and scarious, serrulate margins.

Distributton.—Common in tropical and sub-tropical regions of both
Old and New Worlds.

Its range in New Zealand is confined to a small portion of the:
northern part of the Auckland district, between the Bay of Islands,.
Mongonui, and Hokianga.

9. L. clavatum, L.; var. magellanicum, Hook. /.

Stems stout, rigid, creeping, and leafless below, 4-10 in. long; ,
branches 3-12 in. high, stout, erect, dense. Leaves } in. long, linear:
or linear-lanceolate, acute, imbricating all round the stem, spreading,
squarrose, or incurved. Spikes 1-3 in. long, solitary or in pairs, on
short, stout, leafy terminal peduncles ; scales closely imbricating,
lanceolate, with long, acuminate, spreading points.

Synonyms.—L. magellanicum, Swartz; L. fastigiatum, Br. ; L.
pichinense, Hook.; L. diffusum, Spring. (not Br.)

Distribution.—The typical form of the species is an abundant
plant in the northern, and parts of the southern, hemisphere ; it is.
chiefly characterized by the hair-like tips and serrulate margins of
the leaves.

The southern variety is common in Australia, Tasmania, South
America, and the Antarctic Islands. Also found in the Auckland,
Campbell, and Chatham Islands.

It is abundant in the mountain regions of both islands, but ranges.

Lycopodium] LYCOPODIACEAE. 107

from sea-level in Stewart Island to 6,000 ft. in Otago. The most
northern locality yet recorded in New Zealand is the high land lying’
to the north of L. Rotorua.

10. L. scariosum, Forst.

Stems 9 in. to 2 or 3 ft. long, prostrate or creeping, with numerous
prostrate or erect, flattened branches, 2-10 in. long. Leaves of two.
kinds, the larger in two opposite rows, 4-} in. long, oblong or lanceo-
late, acute, falcate, laterally flattened and decurrent, with smaller,
appressed, subulate leaves between. Spikes sessile or peduncled,
usually terminal, solitary or in pairs, 4-3 in. long; scales broad, with
recurved spreading tips.

Synonyms.—L. decurrens, Br. ; L. jussieui, Desv. ; L. lessonianum,
A, Rich,

Distribution.—Tasmania, Australia, mountains of South America
and of Jamaica. Also in the Auckland and Chatham Islands.

Its range in New Zealand is extensive, from the north of Auck-
land to Stewart Island, usually in rocky or sandy ground, but it is.
local in occurrence. In the last-named locality it grows in swampy
ground at sea-level, assuming a very stunted habit. It is common
throughout the mountain regions of Otago from 1,500-6,000 ft.
elevation ; while at the Thames it occurs at about 2,000 ft.

11. L. volubile, forst. (Pl. IV. fig. 6.)

Stems slender, wiry, much branched, 2-10 ft. long, or more, climb-
ing over trees, branches, &c. ; sparingly leafy. Leaves of two kinds,
as in L. scariosum, but narrower, and with more acuminate—almost
mucronate—tips. Spikes in branched dichotomous panicles, $-2 in.
long, slender; scales broad, small, with a short, subulate, erect
point.

Synonym.—L, durvillei, A. Rich.

Distribution.—Java, Sandwich Islands, and N. Australia. Also in
the Chatham Islands.

This is one of the most common species in New Zealand, ranging
throughout both islands, and in the N. Island ascending to 2,800 ft.
on Tarawera. It is the most beautiful species of the genus, and is
very extensively used for indoor decoration, particularly at festive
seasons.

The cultivation of this, and in fact of most, species of Lycopodium
will be found to be a matter of considerable difficulty, at least at the
outset.

Genus II].—TMESIPTERIS,* Bernhardi.

Stems simple, leafy, pendulous or ascending from a slender,
creeping rootstock. Leaves vertical, sessile, decurrent, veinless.

* Gr., Z'mesis, a cutting ; pteris, the common name applied to ferns.

108 LYCOPODIACEZ, [T'mesipteris

Capsules transversely oblong, 2-lobed, 2-celled, opening loculicidally
by 2 valves, and placed in the fork of two leafy, shortly-petioled
bracts. Spores minute. (A genus of only one species.)

1. T. forsteri, Endlicher.

Stems 6-24 in. long. Leaves }-1 in. long, obliquely oblong, or
narrow lanceolate, coriaceous, truncate, obtuse or acute, with a single
nerve or midrib, which is often produced into a mucronate tip.
Bracts similar to the leaves, but smaller, occasionally replacing them
in the upper part of the stem. Capsules about } in. long.

Synonyms.—T. tannensis, Bernh.; T. truncata, Desv.; T. billar-
dieri, Endl. ; and many others.

~ Distribution.—Tasmania, Australia, and some of the Pacitic
Islands ; also in Auckland and Chatham Islands. Its occurrence in
California is also given in the “Handbook Flora N.Z.,” but is
apparently an error. The Australian specimens usually have the
capsule broader than long, and very distinctly 2-lobed; in New
Zealand specimens this last character is often nearly wanting. They
are also very rarely 3-celled, showing an alliance with Psilotum.

With us this species is very common, being usually found as an
epiphyte on trees. It ranges from N. Cape to Stewart Island, and
ascends to 2,700 ft. at the Thames and on Pirongia.

Gexus IV.—PSILOTUM,* Swartz.

Stems dichotomous above, leafless, or bearing minute scale-like
leaves, which are occasionally replaced by minute 2-fid bracts.
Capsules sessile in the axils of the bracts, nearly globular, 3-lobed,
3-celled, opening loculicidally in 3 valves. Spores minute.

1. P. triquetrum, Swartz. (Pl. IV. fig. 8)

Rhizome short, Stems erect or pendulous, 3-15 in. long, simple
below, repeatedly dichotomous above ; branches 3-angled. Scale-like
leaves and bracts scattered, 4 in. long. Capsules y5-} in. diam.,
attached to the bracts below the forks.

Distribution.—In most tropical or sub-tropical moist regions of
both Old and New Worlds.

In New Zealand this peculiar-looking plant is confined to a small
area of the N. Island; its southern limit being at Orakeikorako, in
the Hot Lake district, and its eastern at Motuhora Island, in the Bay
of Plenty. It is rather rare on the Auckland Isthmus, but abun-
dant on the face of the volcanic rocks of Rangitoto.

* Gr., Pstlos, naked, from its leafless appearance.

Isoétes] ISOETE, 109

ORDER VL—ISOETEZ.

(The characters of the Order are given at page 19.)

Genus L—ISOETES,* Z.

Aquatic plants, usually quite submerged. Leaves linear and thick
or subulate, crowded on a short, thick rootstock, dilated and concave
at the base. Sporangia (spore-cases) sessile at the base of the leaves,
solitary, membranous, of two kinds; those of the outer leaves.
containing spherical macrospores, each marked with a transverse
raised line, and above it 3 radiating raised lines ; those of the inner:
leaves filled with minute powdery microspores.

Leaves 2-4 in. long, very slender, pale-
green. Macrospores 6-angled ; mi-
crospores obscurely 3-angular... ... 1. I. kirkii.

Leaves very numerous, stout, dark-green,
4-12 in. long. Macrospores globose ;
microspores ovoid ... ... ... ... 2. I. alpinus.

1. I. kirkii, Brawn.

Rootstock 3-lobed. Leaves 10-20, 2-4 in. long, 3; in. diam. at
the middle, pale bright-green, nearly transparent, very slender, and
tapering to the apex. Sporangium small, globose, 4-celled; macro-
spores small, 6-angled, beset all over with minute unequal tubercles.

This small species was first described by Mr. Kirk in New
Zealand, and is figured in “‘N.Z. Inst. Trans.,” vol. ii. p. 106, It
appears to be very near J, mueller, a Queensland species.

Distribution.—Confined to the North Island of New Zealand,
oecurring in lakes at a low level—viz., Lakes Whangape, Waikare,
and Wahi, in the Lower Waikato district; and L. Rotokakahi, in
Taupo district.

2. I. alpinus, Kirk.

Rootstock 3-lobed. Leaves 20-50, about 6 in. or more long,
lids in. diam. at the middle, rather stout and rigid, dark-green,
nearly transparent, base much dilated. Sporangium oblong }-1 in.
long, 4-celled. Macrospores rather large, globose, perfectly smooth.
Microspores ovoid, finely tubercled.

Distribution.—Confined to the South Island of New Zealand, in
lakes at 2,000-3,000 ft. elevation—viz., Lakes Roto Iti, Rotorua,
and Guyon, Nelson district; Lakes Lyndon, Pearson, Grassmere,
and Windermere, in Canterbury district.

This species was described by Mr. Kirk in the “N.Z. Inst. Trans.,”
vol. vii. p. 377, and is fully figured at p. 368.

* Gr., Jsos, and etos, evergreen.

110 THE FERNS AND

CHAPTER IV.
HINTS ON COLLECTING AND CULTIVATING FERNS.

‘Tue taste for gathering ferns is a very common one, but, like many
-others, it is none the worse occasionally of a little direction, and the
experience of others will be of service to those about to make a
commencement in this direction.

The apparatus required by the collector who is desirous of making
a collection of dried ferns is very simple. It is well, however, to
have it of the most suitable kind, so as to ensure the maximum
amount of success. Some—when out in the field—take with them
an old scrap-book, or boards filled with sheets of newspaper or some
other slightly bibulous paper, but it will always be found better to
have a special book made for the purpose. The majority of ferns
are best pressed when gathered, though many of the more coriaceous
kinds will keep well enough in a vasculum or japanned-tin collecting
‘box.

A convenient book for placing the specimens in when collecting is
made of thin wooden boards about 18 in. long by 12 in. broad, their
thickness depending on the nature of the wood employed. Thus,
English oak boards need not be more than % in. thick, while
common deal must be nearly 4 in., and even of this thickness will be
found to be as light as the other. The boards should be strengthened
with cross-pieces fastened to them by short screws let in from the
‘inside of the boards. Two leather straps passing through too narrow
slits within an inch of the edge of each board serve to tighten them
together, and these may be joined by a leather handle, or they may
‘be so arranged as to fasten knapsack-fashion on the back. The best
drying pads which can be used are made of a coarse bibulous paper,
Specially prepared for botanical purposes; but, in lieu of it, ‘any
blotting paper will suffice. The specimens to be gathered should be,
of course, as perfect and complete as possible. Small species, which,

FERN ALLIES OF NEW ZEALAND. 111

when full sized, do not exceed the size of the paper, should be
gathered whole, their roots cleaned from soil and thinned down with
the knife if necessary, on what is intended to be the underside of the
specimen, and all unnecessary fronds removed. Larger species may
be taken in two portions, while of the very large species usually only
‘separate pinne can be dried. As, however, the stipes and its mode
of attachment to the rhizome, and the rhizome itself, constitute
important characters in classification, care should be taken to show
these as far as possible. If the collector happen to be out without a
book, but is furnished with a vasculum, he can usually bring his
ferns home in very good order by laying them carefully in the box
and sprinkling a little water over them. The air in the close space
becomes saturated with aqueous vapour, and the fronds—even of
‘delicate species—will be found to retain most of their freshness.
Most of the genus Hymenophyllum and Trichomanes can even thus
be carried for two or three days, but I have always failed with the
Todeas. These should be pressed as soon as gathered, as their
‘delicate segments curl up in the most aggravating manner, and
afterwards refuse to be flattened.

As a rule, the pressure exercised by the straps will be found
‘sufficient for the ferns while drying, but a few heavy books, or
‘similarly weighty things, may be added if necessary. The plan
adopted by some persons of putting their plants into a copying-
press cannot be recommended; too much pressure destroys the
beauty of some species.

Within about twenty-four hours of gathering, or as soon after as
possible, the papers should be changed for fresh ones, and this
process repeated again at intervals of every two or three days. The
thinner ferns will be quite dry in ten days or a fortnight, while the
more coriaceous forms may be aided by a hot pressing with a
‘common iron between sheets of blotting paper. Some species—such
as the varieties of Asplenium obtusatum and Polypodium serpens—
require a long time and a considerable pressure to dry them
thoroughly, and are all the better for an occasional hot press. The
mode adopted by collectors, of killing many tough or succulent plants
by plunging them in boiling water before drying, cannot be employed
with ferns, as the sori are thus more or less destroyed.

112 THE FERNS AND

In mounting the dried specimens, it is a mistake to put them in a
ready-bound book, as it becomes almost impossible to arrange them
satisfactorily. Good stiff white paper of about the same size as the
drying sheets should be employed, and not more than a single
species be fastened to each sheet. Many adhesive substances are
used to attach plants to paper, of which some are good, while others
are decidedly bad. To the latter class belong gum-arabic, the
common mucilage of the shops, and flour paste. Specimens fastened
by the first are very apt to start from the paper, the second has often
very little adhesive power, while the third forms a direct inducement
to mites to establish themselves on the collection. A fair gum may
be made, however, by adding a few fragments of gum tragacanth to
the ordinary mucilage. But the best substance which can be
employed is a strong jelly made of gelatine, or—as a cheaper and
equally effective substitute—Russian or gelatine glue. This is made
by soaking the glue in a little water, and standing it in a warm
corner for a few hours; the jelly thus formed is ready for use at
any time by simply placing the vessel containing it in a bowl of
boiling water. If wanted to be kept, a few drops of creosote or oil
of cloves should be added while it is liquid. Strong jelly so made
will keep in summer for two or three weeks, and much longer in
winter, if sufficient creosote be added ; but if decay has set in, or any
mould commences to grow, the whole should be rejected at once, as
its adhesive powers will be found to be seriously affected. Too much
of the glue should not be applied to the side of the specimen which
is to be downwards, as it is a great blemish to have your ferns all
smudged and shiny. The stronger the glue, the less will be required
to fasten the specimens. Long straggling stipes and other loose
parts should be fastened down with thin strips of tough paper,
foreign note being about the best. Each specimen should have its
name clearly written on the sheet, together with locality and date of
gathering, and any remarks on the habitat which may be considered
worthy of note. The sheets should be placed together in a suitable
portfolio, or in a specially-constructed herbarium case.

For a hundred persons in the colony who make collections of dried
ferns, it would probably be difficult to find one who goes in for
cultivation of the living plants. The taste has not sprung up yet,

FERN ALLIES OF NEW ZEALAND. 113

but it is one which can be very easily gratified, and at a very little
expense into the bargain. With a little practice ferns can be grown
as easily as other plants, and some species will thrive in most
unpromising situations.. Considering how much labour and money
are often expended in ornamenting our gardens, and in growing
showy and expensive exotics in our greenhouses, it is somewhat
surprising that the cultivation of ferns has not received more
attention than has hitherto been the case. The appliances required
—even for their indoor culture—are not very elaborate, while out of
doors they are as easily grown as other plants, if a little consideration
is previously given to their mode and place of growth in a state of
nature. There are certain points which particularly call for attention
in dealing with these plants. Thus, many of them are to be found
only in the shade and moisture of the deepest parts of the forest,
and these must have a house of some kind to protect them ; while
others, which grow on the hare hill-sides, and among clefts of dry
rocks, refuse to grow altogether if put under cover, or else become
sickly and straggling in their growth. Again, many ferns which
will grow in the Auckland district in the open air cannot stand the
sharp frosts of the level parts of Canterbury and Otago, and must
have winter protection. To start with, then, it is necessary—if a
tolerably complete collection is desired—to have the means of
growing the plants under at least two different sets of conditions—
viz., in an open air fernery and in a house of some kind.

An open-air fernery may be made in any spot sheltered by a wall
or building, or in any naturally irregular spot of garden ground,
where but little direct sunlight can penetrate, and where the force of
the wind is not felt. A rugged, uneven surface suits ferns best ; so
that it has become a very usual practice to grow them in rockeries.
It requires considerable artistic skill to build a rockery in such a
way as to make it look natural ; but in whatever manner it may be
constructed, the principal advantage gained by adopting this plan
lies in the excellent drainage which can be ensured under it. There
is nothing that ferns are more liable to be destroyed by than stagnant
water at their roots; and one of the first requisites, in preparing
ground for growing them in, is to see that it is well drained, so that
surplus water may pass quickly away from it. If a rockery is to be

9

114 THE FERNS AND

constructed, it matters little what sort of stone or other material is
used, so long as it is of a porous nature; and the taste of the culti-
vator must decide what form it is to assume. An excellent way
of growing ferns is to make a raised bed, from 1 to 2 feet high, of
porous stone, broken bricks, or similar materials, filling in the
interstices with smaller fragments, and covering the whole with a
few inches of soil, which should not, however, exceed six inches in
depth for the smaller species, or a foot for the larger. A layer of
sphagnum moss above the stones aids materially in draining, and
prevents the soil from being washed rapidly down among the stones.
If peat can be readily obtained, a quantity of it may be broken into
small pieces, and similarly used for filling up the interstices of the
stones, before spreading the soil on the surface. Such a bed, placed
on the south side of a wall or building of almost any kind, will prove
very suitable for all the hardy ferns. Next in importance to the
drainage is the kind of soil employed. This should be light, and
yet capable of being made quite firm. It is needless to give
absolute rules for the preparation of such a soil, and nearly each
successful cultivator has his own favourite compost; but a mixture
of equal parts of well-broken peat, loam, and sand will be found
most generally suitable. Manure of any kind should not be used ;
but an excellent loam may be got by allowing old turf from a
meadow to decay for a couple of years in a heap. The sand, algo,
should not be too sharp ; sea-sand, thoroughly washed free from salt,
is very good. But here, again, observation of the natural habitat of
the fern must guide the cultivator. Some of the Gleichenias will be
found to luxuriate in a mixture of sand and peat, or even sand alone;
while many of the larger bush-ferns grow in deep, heavy loam.
Species of Pteris, again, often root strongly in clay banks with a
minimum of loam. So that in planting the various kinds, more or
less of the constituent parts may be added to the soil, as is thought
desirable. Where manageable, it is a good plan to have the soil for
a fernery baked before using, by subjecting it, in a moist state,
to a heat about that of boiling water. This process destroys vast
numbers of fungus spores and seeds of weeds, at the same time
freeing the ground of insect pests. This should always be done with
soil to be used in a house, but for the outdoor fernery it is not so

FERN ALLIES OF NEW ZEALAND. 115

necessary ; and it is, besides, a difficult thing to do with the quantity
of soil required.

In planting your ferns, due regard must be had to the size to
which each species grows, so that each may be placed in the position
most suitable to it, and unnecessary crowding be avoided. In course
of time, some of the species may have spréad so much, either by
their creeping rhizomes or by their scattered spores, as to endanger
the existence of less aggressive species. By the time this desirable
consummation has been reached, the cultivator will probably be
sufficiently experienced in fern-growing to require no advice in
dealing with his plants. But, in first planting, if species are being
dealt with which have an erect rootstock, and which root in the soil
to some depth, the only care requisite is to avoid burying the crown.
Over-deep planting is usually an effective mode of extinguishing
ferns. For those creeping species which are usually epiphytal in
their growth, planting—in the ordinary sense of the word—is not
advisable ; but the rhizome should be pegged down on the soil, which
must be kept somewhat moist till their roots have struck.

In dry weather it may be necessary to supply water to your
ferns. This should be given in the morning, and applied to
the soil only, not wetting the leaves more than you can help.
It is a mistake to water any plants in the evening, as the rapid
evaporation which takes place if the sky is clear reduces the
temperature of the surface-soil and of the lower strata of air very
‘materially.

For indoor cultivation, an ordinary lean-to greenhouse placed
against the south wall of a house is most suitable; but as everyone
does not and cannot possess such a convenience, it is advisable to
show how an effective and inexpensive fern-house may be constructed.
‘One of the best collections of New Zealand ferns under cultivation
which the writer has seen was contained in a plain little house made
by the cultivator—who was no mechanic—and which cannot’ have
cost more than £1 or £2 in its construction. This consisted of
a small lean-to shed, about 5 ft. high in front and 8 ft. at the wall,
the frame of which was covered with weather-boarding. The roof
was formed of three or four old window-sashes, while the upper half
of the door was also glazed. Along the floor on the lower side of

116 THE FERNS AND

the house was a narrow border, in which many small ferns were
planted, while above them, at a height of about 3 feet, was a single-
shelf with a row of potted ferns. The ground on the side of the
house next the wall was occupied by a larger bed, in which were
arranged a number of taller species, some handsome sub-arboreous
forms being furthest back. When the weather was frosty, old sacks.
or pieces of matting were thrown over the roof, but no artificial heat
was employed. In this simply-constructed little house a large-
number of delicate ferns, including species of Hymenophyllum,
Trichomanes and Todea, Gleichenia dichotoma, Lomaria nigra,
Marattia fraxinea, and others, were growing in a most luxurious
manner. Of course, there is but little of external ornamentation in
such a house, yet how many a back-yard in some of the more crowded’
parts of our towns might thus be utilized and made to contribute to-
our pleasure as well as to our convenience.

Ferns are very easily grown as pot plants, and a stand of a few
pots of well-grown Maiden-hairs and other hardy ferns makes an
elegant addition to a sitting-room. While, instead of the tawdry
wax or cloth flowers one sometimes sees in a drawing-room,
there is nothing more beautiful than a good patch of Hymen-
ophyllum pulcherrimum, or Trichomanes reniforme, growing in a
pot or vase under a glass shade. In potting ferns, too great
depth should be avoided, and the bottom should have a few
“crocks,” or broken materials, covered with a few fragments
of peat for drainage. Creeping ferns, such as some Adiantums
and. Gleichenias, grow best in shallow pots which are wider than
they are deep.

Club mosses are not very often cultivated, owing to the difficulty
of getting them to grow ; but some species may be grown along with
ferns. The beautiful Lycopodium volubile and other creeping species
are easily enough propagated by layering. Thus, if a shallow pot be
placed on the ground alongside one of these plants, and a good branch
be pegged down to the soil, roots will be developed at the point of
contact ; and when these are well established, the connection with
the parent plant is severed by a sharp knife. All ferns, also, with
creeping rhizomes may be similarly propagated. Tsoétes, Pilularia
and Azolla require for their growth an aquarium jar or artificial pond,

FERN ALLIES OF NEW ZEALAND. 117

cat the bottom of which there is a layer of soil or mud. There is not
the least difficulty in cultivating them, but care must be taken that
-confervoid alge do not accumulate to any large extent ; in which
case the water must be changed, and small aquatic mollusca intro-
duced. An aquarium must not be subjected to direct sunlight, as
the rapid changes of temperature thus induced will soon prove fatal
to the most valued specimens. It is best kept in the shelter of the
fern-house, to the atmosphere of which its constant evaporation will
always supply a sufticiency of moisture.

These hints as to culture are necessarily far from being complete,
but they may lead readers to see the possibilities of interest and
amusement which may be derived from this class of plants. For
more complete information on the subject, the reader is recommended
to peruse one of the larger works specially devoted to it, Shirley
Hibberd’s interesting little book, ‘‘ The Fern Garden,” being one of
the best.

In making a collection of ferns for planting, always first satisfy
yourself as to what species grow in your own neighbourhood, before
bothering your friends a hundred miles away to get you plants.
People often thus get specimens sent to them which are to be found
within a short distance of their own homes. In lifting ferns the
roots should be carefully dug up, not wrenched ; and in most cases
as big a ball of soil should be taken with them as can be conveniently
lifted. Thus species of Lindsaya, Botrychium, Ophioglossum, and
even some Glezchenias will not grow unless the whole plants are
lifted intact and with the roots quite undisturbed. But many other
species will stand very hard usage as compared with this, though
all are the better of careful handling. They are best transported with
their fronds uncrushed in a box or basket ; and, in the case of
Hymenophyllwms and similarly delicate forms, the botanical vasculum
with tightly-fitting lid will be found most useful. But if it is
desired to carry plants for a long distance—say from this colony to
Australia—another plan must be adopted. Each specimen, with its
ball of somewhat moist but not wet earth, should be wrapped up
in damp moss, and the whole tied up in paper or thin sacking. All
the fronds but four or five should be removed, and these should be
allowed to protrude from their wrappings. The packages thus made

118 THE FERNS AND FERN ALLIES OF NEW ZEALAND.

can be placed together in a box, with all their fronds lying one way;
and if kept covered, for protection from sun and drying winds, the
ferns may thus be carried with perfect safety for some weeks. They
must be planted as soon as possible on arrival at their destination,
and the cultivator must not be disappointed if they do not begin to
make growth till the commencement of a new season.

GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS.

A, privative, signifying the absence
of the organ mentioned.

Acerose, needle-shaped.

Acicular, bristle-shaped or thinly
needle-shaped,

Acuminate, ending in a finely taper-
ing point.

Acute, terminating in a sharp point.

Aduate, applied to an organ united
to another throughout its length.

Amplexicaul, clasping or embracing
the stem.

Anastomosing, the uniting of vein-
lets in the leaf of a plant.

Antheridia, the minute male organs
of Cryptogamic plants.

Apiculate, ending in a short pointed
tip.

Appressed, lying flat against a sur-
face, as leaves on a stem.

Arborescent, tree-like.

Areoles, spaces marked out on a
surface, as by the reticulation of
the veins.

Articulated, jointed; the articu-
lations being either the portions
joined, or the place of joining.

Ascending, applied to stems which
rise in a slanting direction.

Auricled, or Auriculate, furnished
with an ear-like appendage.

Axil, the angle formed between a
leaf and the stem.

Axillary, anything placed in an
axil.

Bifid or 2-fid, two-cleft to about
the middle.

Bilocular or 2-locular, containing
2 cavities or cells.

Bipinnate or 2-pinnate, doubly or
twice pinnate ; similarly, bdipin-
natifid, &c.

Bract, a more or less modified leaf
from the axil of which flowers or
other reproductive organs pro-
ceed.

Campanulate, bell-shaped.

Capillary,very slender and hairlike.

Capsule, a dry seed-vessel, applied
to the spore-cases of Ferns and
their allies.

Caudex, the trunk of a tree-fern.

Cell, applied to the cavity of a
seed-vessel or spore-case.

Cilia, thin hairs fringing the mar-
gin of a leaf, &c., hence ciliate.
Circinate, rolled inwards from the
summit towards the base, as in

the young fronds of ferns.

Connate, applied to the uniting
together of two or more similar

arts.

Cordate, heart-shaped.

Coriuceous, leathery in consistence.

Costa, the midrib.

Crenate, having rounded teeth on
the margin.

Cuneate, wedge-shaped.

Cuspidate, tapering to a sharp,
rigid point.

Deciduous, applied to parts which
fall off.

Decompound, applied to leaves cut
into numerous divisions.

Decumbent, lying flat, but with the
summit ascending.

Decurrent, applied to leaves whose
blade is continued down the
stem in the form of a wing.

Deflexed, bent downwards.

Dehisce, to open so as to scatter
the seeds or spores.

Deitoid, triangular, like the Greek
letter A (delta).

120

Dentate, toothed ; usually applied
to sharp teeth not directed for-
wards.

Dichotomous, having the divisions
of the stem always branching in
pairs,

Didymous, twin ; found in pairs.

Digitate, spreading like the fingers.

Dimidiate, applied to organs split
into unequal halves.

Dimorphic, having two forms.

Distichous, arranged in two rows on
opposite sides of a stem.

Divaricate, applied to branches
which spread very widely.

Dorsal, relating to or attached to
the back.

Elliptical, shaped like an ellipse ;
oval or oblong with regularly
rounded ends.

Emarginate, notched at the apex.

Entire, applied to margins which
are not cut into in any way.

Epiphyte, a plant which grows upon
another without taking any nutri-
ment from it.

Equilateral, equal-sided.

Erect, standing straight up ; often
applied to leaves which are per-
pendicular to the surface of
attachment.

Exserted, protruding beyond or out

f

of.

Faicate, bent, or shaped like a
sickle.

Frid, cleft or lobed.

Filiform, thread-like.

Fimbriate, fringed.

Flabellate, expanded like a fan.

Flaccid, limp, soft and weak.

Fleruous, curved in a zigzag man-
ner.

Foliaceous, having the form or
texture of a leaf.

Glabrous, quite destitute of hairs.

Glandular, applied to hairs which
have glands on their tips.

Glaucous, covered with a pale
bloom.

Globose, round like a ball.

Gonous, angled, as 3-gonous.

Heterosporous, applied to Crypto-
gamic plants having more than
one kind of spore, as in Isoétes.

Hirsute, covered with stiff or coarse
hairs.

GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS.

Hispid, covered with rigid or bristly
hairs.

Hispidulous, minutely hispid.

Imbricate, overlapping, like tiles on
a house.

Incised, cut sharply and irregu-
larly.

Indusium, the covering of the sorus
of a fern, called here an invo-
lucre.

Involucre, the membrane covering
the sorus.

Involute, rolled inwards ; applied
to the margins of leaves when
rolled in towards the middle.

Isosporous, applied to Cryptogamic
plants which produce only one
kind of spore, as ferns.

Lacerate, apply to margins which
appear irregularly torn.

Laciniate, cut into very narrow
strips or segments.

Lamina, the blade or expanded
portion of a leaf.

Lanceolate, having the form of a
lance-head ; narrower than ob-
long, and tapering to each end.

Lateral, belonging to or borne on
the sides.

Ligulate, shaped like a strap.

Linear, narrow or line-like ; applied
to very narrow leaves many times
longer than broad.

Lobe, applied to the divisions of
leaves or other organs.

Locular, divided into cells or loculi.

Loculicidal, the mode of opening of
a capsule when the walls of the
loculi fall out, carrying the septa
with them.

Lunate, half-moon shaped.

Lyrate, applied to pinnatifid leaves
with a large terminal and smaller
lateral lobes.

Macrospores, the larger kind of
spores in Lycopodiacez.

Macrosporangia, the vessel or cap-
sule containing the macrospores.

Membranous or Membranaceous,
thin and rather soft or pliable in
consistence.

Microspores, the smaller spores of
Lycopodiaceze, hence Microspo-
rangia,

Mucronate, ending in a sharp, short
spine.

GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS.

Muricate, rough, with short, hard
points.

Node or Knot; the part of a stem
at which a leaf is given off.

Normal, agreeing with the usual
rule or type.

Ob, reversed, prefixed to many
words as below.

‘Obcordate, like an inverted heart
with the notch at the apex.

Oblique, unequal-sided or slanting.

‘Obovate, shaped like an egg with
the broad end up.

Obtuse, blunt or rounded at the
extremity.

Orbicular, completely circular in
outline.

Ovate, shaped like an egg, broad
end down.

‘Ovoid, applied to an egg-shaped
solid.

Paleaceous, of a chaffy nature.

Palmate, divided into finger-like
lobes.

Panicle, a much-branched cluster—
usually applied to flowers, or to
the spikes of some Lycopods.

Partite, cleft nearly but not quite
to the base.

Patent, spreading widely.

Pectinate, comb-like, applied to
pinnatifid leaves with narrow,
close-set segments.

Pedate, divided like the feet of a
bird.

Pedicel, « small, secondary fruit
or flower-stalk, hence pedicelled.
Peduncle, a primary fruit or
flower-stalk, hence pedunculate.
Pellucid, semi-transparent, allow-

ing light to pass through.

Peltate, shield-like, attached by the
middle of the lower surface.

Pendulous, hanging downwards.

Pilose, covered with soft, distinct
hairs.

Pinna, one of the primary divisions
of a pinnate leaf.

Pinnate, applied to leaves whose
leaflets are arranged along each
side of a common rachis.

Pinnatifid, cut into lateral segments
midway to the midrib.

Pinnatipartite, cut into lateral seg-
ments nearly to the midrib.

Pinnatisect, cut quite to the rachis.

Pinnule, one of the secondary
divisions of a pinnate leaf.

Plumose, feathery. ;

Procumbent, applied to stems lying
along the ground. .

Proliferous, bearing buds or bulbils
on the leaves, &c.

Prothallus, the rudimentary plant
proceeding from the germination
of the spore in ferns, &e.

Pubescent, covered with soft, downy
hairs.

Punctate, having the surface dotted
with small holes or pits.

Pungent, ending in a sharp point.

Pyriform, shaped like a pear.

Radical, usually applied to leaves,
&e., proceeding from a root-like
portion of the stem.

Ramification, branching.

Rachis, the continuation of the
stalk or stipes on which the
pinnee of a pinnate leaf are
arranged.

Reniform, kidney-shaped.

Reticulated, having the veins in the
form of network.

Revolute, rolled back at the margins.

Rhizome, a root-like stem running
either above or below the ground,
usually sending down roots below
and leaves or branches above.

Rhomboid, having four sides all
equal, but the angles not right
angles.

Rootstock, the rhizome.

Sarmentum, the slender woody stem
of climbing plants, hence sarmen-
tose.

Scabrous or Scabrid, rough to the
touch.

Scalariform, ladder-like ; applied to
the transversely-marked tissue of
ferns, &c.

Scandent, climbing.

Scape, a peduncle springing from
the ground.

Scarious, thin, dry,
branous, not green.

Segment, one of the divisions of a
cleft organ, such as a leaf.

Septum, a division, usually applied
to that which divides a capsule
into cells or loculi.

Serrate, with the margin cut into
saw-like teeth.

and mem-

122

Sessile, applied to any organ desti-
tute of a stalk.

Setaceous, bristle-like.

Setose, covered with minute bristles
or setz.

Sinuate, with a strongly wavy
margin.

Sinus, a hollow between the lobes
of a leaf.

Sorus, a cluster of spore-cases or
sporangia.

Spores, the minute grains in flower-
less plants analogous to the seeds
of flowering-plants.

Sporangia, spore-cases.

Squamose, covered with scales.

Squarrose, having scales, &c., pro-
jecting widely from the stem on
which they are crowded.

Stellate, star-shaped.

Sterile, incapable of producing seed
or spores.

Stipes, the stalk of a fern-frond.

Stipitate, furnished with a stipes or
stalk.

Stipules, leaf-like appendages, usu-
ally paired, at the base of a leaf-
stalk.

Stramineous, straw-like.

Striate, marked with fine longitu-
dinal lines or streaks.

Sub-, used in composition, denotes

GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS.

somewhat or slightly, as sub-
acute.

Subulate, awl-shaped.

Synonym, a superseded or unused
name.

Terete, having the transverse sec-
tion cylindrical.

Tetra-, in Greek words, four, as
tetragonous, 4-angled.

Tomentum, a matting of dense,
woolly hairs.

Tortuous, bent in different direc-
tions.

Transverse, across.

Tri-, in compound words, three, as.
triquetrous, with 3 salient angles.

Tripinnate, divided three times in a
pinnate manner.

Truncate, cut off abruptly.

Tubercled, covered with small warty
outgrowths.

Tumid, swollen.

Unilateral, one-sided.

Unilocular, a one-celled cavity.

Urceolate, shaped like an urn,
with a narrow mouth.

Venation, the arrangement of the
veins in the leaf.

Vernation, the arrangement of the
leaves in the leaf-bud.

Villous, covered with long weak
hairs or down.

GLOSSARY OF SPECIFIC NAMES OF PLANTS.

aculeatum, prickly or thorny.

ethiopicum, belonging to Ethiopia
(upper Nile region).

affine, connected with, or related to.

alpina, belonging to the Alps.

aquilina, like an eagle.

articulatum, jointed.

bankstt, in honour of Sir Joseph
Banks, botanist in Cook’s first
expedition.

barbara, strange or foreign.

bifida, divided into two portions.

billardieri, in honour of La Billar-
diere, author of a beautiful work
on the botany of New Holland.

bivalve, two-valved.

bulbiferum, bearing little buds or
bulbils.

capense, belonging to the Cape (of
Good Hope).

carolinianum, first described from
Carolina, in America.

caudata, tailed, ending in a long,
slender point.

cernuum, with the face towards the
earth.

cheesemanii, in honour of Mr. T. F.
Cheeseman, of Auckland, who
has added largely to our know-
ledge of New Zealand botany.

ciliatum, fringed with hairs, like
eyelashes.

circinata, rolled up like a crozier,
from the apex in towards the
base.

clavatum, club-shaped or club-
bearing.

colensoit, in honour of Mr. W.
Colenso, of Hawke Bay, one of
the most indefatigable of New
Zealand botanists.

comans, hairy, covered with hairs.

connera, connected, joined.

cordifolia, with heart-shaped leaves.

cunninghamii, in honour of Allan:
Cunningham, an eminent Aus-
tralian botanist and explorer.

cystostegia, bladder-roofed, from the
bladder-like involucres.

dealbata, white or white-washed.

decompositum, very much divided.

demissum, low-lying or drooping,
in allusion to the habit.

densum, close, crowded or thick-
set.

diaphanum, allowing light to pass
through.

dicarpa, two-fruited.

dichotoma, having the stem branch-
ing in pairs.

dilatatum, enlarged, the segments.
being wide and dilated.

discolor, two-coloured, the back
and front of the frond being:
different.

distans, distant, the pinna being
widely separated on the rachis.

drummondii, in honour of Mr. Jas..
Drummond, an Australian col-
lector.

dura, hard; the texture of the
fronds being very firm.

falcata, curved, like a
hook.

Jiliculoides, fern-like.

Jiliformis, thread-like, very slender.

Jistulosa, pipe-like ; the usual mean-
ing of the term is porous or full
of holes.

reaping-

? fan-like ; applied to

fabetiata, leaves ects branch

Alabellifolium, ing of veins, &e.

fluviatilis, belonging to, or growing
near, a river.

formosum, beautiful or

tinely
formed.

124

JSorsteri, in honour of R. and G.
Forster (father and son), botan-
ists in Captain Cvook’s second
voyage to New Zealand.

JSragilis, tender or delicate.

Sraxinea, like the ash-tree.

Jrazeri, in honour of Mr. Charles
Frazer, a former superintendent
of Sydney Botanical Gardens,
who introduced some New Zea-
land plants into Britain.

_fulvum, deep or reddish yellow.

glabellum, destitute of hairs.

grammitidis, resembling ferns of the
genus G'rammitis, Swartz.

s hairy, the first term
Inspidulum, ) yeing’ a ditainutive of
be acc, the second.

hookeriunum, in honour of Sir
W. Hooker, the celebrated
botanist, whose son, Sir J. D.
Hooker, wrote the ‘ Flora
Novee-Zelandiz,” &c.

Aumile, low, small or humble.

hymenophylloides, like the thin,
filmy ferns of the genus Hymen-
ophyllum, Sm.

incisa, cut deeply into.

javancum, first introduced into
Britain from Java.

kirkii, m honour of Mr. Thos. Kirk,
F.L.8., who has contributed so
much to our knowledge of New
Zealand botany for over ten
years.

Janata, furnished with woolly hairs.

lanceolatus, lance-shaped ; narrowly
oblong and tapering to both ends.

laterale, belonging to, or springing
from, the side (of a branch or
stem).

leptophylia, thin-leaved.

linearis, narrow or line-like.

lusitanicum, belonging to, or first
described from, Lusitania, the
old name for Portugal.

dyailii, in honour of Dr. Lyall,
botanist on board the Acheron,
which visited New Zealand in
1847-49.

-macilenta, lean or meagre.

malingit, in honour of a Mr. Maling,
who collected ferns, &c., in New
Zealand.

media, middle, intermediate be-
tween others.

GLOSSARY OF SPECIFIC NAMES OF PLANTS.

medullaris, containing marrow, in
allusion to the mucilaginous pith.

membranacea, membranous, or thin
in texture.

millefolium, thousand-leaved ; very
much cut into and divided.

minimum, very small.

molle, soft, or covered with softhairs.

montanum, belonging to the moun-
tains,

multifidum, many times cut or
divided.

nigra, black.

obtusatum, obtuse, blunt, or rounded
at the ends.

oculatum, furnished with eyes or
eye-like spots.

patersoni, in honour of D. Paterson,
an Australian explorer and col-
lector.

pennigerum, feathered or winged.

polyanthos, many-flowered ; allud-
ing to the numerous sori.

procera, high or tall.

pulcherrimum, very beautiful.

pumila, dwarf, or little. F

punctatum, having small holes or
punctures.

pustulatum, pimpled, covered with
small elevations.

ramulosum, having many
branches.

rarum, rare.

reniforme, kidney-shaped.

richardi, in honour of Mons. M. A.
Richard, author of ‘‘ Essai d’une
Flore de la Nouvelle-Zélande”
(1832).

rigidum; rigid or firm.

rotundifolia, round-leaved.

small

rubra, red.
scaberula, ) rough, covered with
scabrum, small roughnesses.

scariosum, having a dry, scaly con-
sistence.

selago, the name of a genus of
pretty 8. African plants.

serpens, a serpent, in allusion to the
twisted rhizome.

sieberi, in honour of the celebrated
German botanist and traveller,
Sieber.

smithii, in honour of Mr. J, Smith,
the celebrated writer on Ferns ;
also of Sir J. E. Smith, first
president of the Linnzean Society.

GLOSSARY OF SPECIFIC NAMES OF PLANTS. 125

squarrosa, covered with projecting
parts or jags, &c.

strictum, drawn together, tight or
close.

subtilissimum, very finely woven, or
very slender.

superba, superb, magnificent.

tenellum, somewhat tender or deli-
cate.

tenuifolium, thin- or slender-leaved.

ternatum, divided into threes.

thelypteris, female fern, an old name
used by Dioscorides.

tremula, tremulous or quaking.

trichomanoides, like the ferns of the
genus Trichomanes,

triquetrum, having three sharp:
angles ; applied usually to stems.

tunbridgense, from Tunbridge
(Kent) in England.

umbrosum, shady or umbrageous, or
growing in shade.

unitum, united.

varium, variable.

velutinum, velvety.

venosum, full of veins.

vestitum, clothed (with scales, &c.)

villosum, rough, hairy or shaggy.

viridis, green.

volubile, turning round or twining.

vuleanica, probably described first
from some volcanic district.

vulgatum, common.

INDEX OF GENERA, SPECIES, &c.

(The Synonyms are printed in italics).

Acrophorus hispidus
Adder’s-tongue fern
Adiantum
eethiopicum
affine
affine
assimile
clavatum
crenatum
cunninghamit
diaphanum
emarginatum
formosum
formosum
fulyum
hispidulum
pedatum
pubescens
setulosum
thalictrioides
trapeziforme
trigonum
Allantodia australis
tenera
Alsophila
colensoi
Arthropteris tenella
Aspidium
aculeatum
acuminatum
aristatum
capense
cordifolium
coriaceum
cunninghamii
cystostegia
decompositum ...
glabellum
gongylodes
hispidum
microsorum
molle

nymphale
oculatum
pennigerum
proliferum
pulcherrimum
richardi
serra
setosum
shepherdi
tuberosum
unitum
velutinum
venustum
waikarense
Asplenium
adiantioides
apicidentatum
australe
brownii
bulbiferum
caudatum
colensoi, var.
fabianum
faleatum
flabellifolium
flabelliforme
flaccidum
heterophyllum
hookerianum
laxum, var,
lucidum, var.
lyallii, var.

obliquum, var. ...

obtusatum
odontites

paucifolium, var.

physosorus
polyodon

raoultt

richardi
scleropium, var.
shuttleworthianum

INDEX OF GENERA, SPECIES, &e.

tremulum
trichomanes
tripinnatum, var.
umbrosum
Azolla
filiculoides
rubra
Black fern
Bladder-fern
Blechnum procerum
Botrychium
australe
cicutarium
dissectum, vur.
lunarioides
ternatuin
virginianum
Cenopteris
appendiculata
Jlaccida Ses
nove-zelandie ...
Cheilanthes
ambigua
arborescens
distans
pellucida
preissiana
sieberi
tenuifolia 2
Ctenopteris grammitidis
Cyatheaceze
Cyathea site
cunninghamii ...
dealbata
medullaris
milnet
polyneuron
smithit
Cystopteris
fragilis as
nove-z@landia@ ...
Darea flaccida
Davallia
forsteri ae
novee-zeelandice.. .
Dicksonia
antarctica
Jibrosa
intermedia
levis
lanata
sparmanniana
squarrosa 2
Dictymia lanceolata
Doodia
caudata

connexa
kunthiana
media
rupestris

Filmy-ferns

Gleichenia
alpina
circinata

cunninghamii ...

dicarpa
dichotoma
flabellata
hecistophylla
microphylla
rupestris
semivestita
spelunce
vulcanica
Gleicheniaceze
Goniopteris
forsteri
pennigera
Grammitis
australe
billardieri
ciliatum
heterophylla
humils

nove-zelandia ...

rigida
rutefolia
Gymnogramme
alpina
leptophylla
papaverrfolia
pozoi
rutefolia
subglandulosa
Hemitelia
smithii

Hymenophyllaceze :
Hymenophyllun ...

eruginosum
armstrongti
atro-virens
berterovi
bivalve
boryanum
cheesemanii
ciliatum
crispatum
cupressiforme
dedalum
demissum
dilatatum
erecto-alatum

128

erosum
eximium
Seejeense
mbriatum
flabellatum
flabellatum
Jlexuosum
Sormosum

Sfranklinianum ed

Sumarioides
hookeri
imbricatum
javanicum
junghuhnii
lyallit
malingii
micranthum
minimum
montanum
multifidum
natalense
nitens
lumiert
polyanthos
productum
protrusum

pulcherrimum ...

pusillum

pygmaeum

pyriforme
rarum

reinwardit
revolutum
rufescens

sanguinolentum ...

scabrum
semi-bivalve
spathulatum

subtilissimum ...

tabulare
tasmanicum
tunbridgense
unilaterale
villosum
wilsoni
zeelandicum

Hypolepis
dicksonioides
distans
millefolium
pallida
tenuifolia

Tsoéteze

Isoétes
alpinus
kirkii

INDEX OF GENERA, SPECIES, &C.

PAGE
40
41
38

Kidney-fern
Lastrea +
davallioides
decomposita
glabella
hispida
palustris
thelypteris
velutina
Leptocionium sororium
Leptopteris ;
hymenophy ylloides
superba a
Lindsaya
lessonnii
linearis 2
trichomanoides
viridis
Litobrochia
comans
vespertilionis
Lomaria
acuminata
alpina
attenuata
banksii
blechnoides
capensis
colensor
cumingiana
defiexa
deltoidea
discolor
duplicata
dura
elongata
filiformis
fluviatilis
frazeri
gilliestt
heterophylla
lanceolata
latifolia
linearis sie
membranacea ...
nigra
patersoni
pilosa :
pimpinelicfolia. :
procera oe
propingua
pumila i
parvetiil eae
rigida
rotundifolia
vulcanica

INDEX OF GENERA, SPECIES, &c.

PAGE

Lonchitis tenuifolia 56
Loxsoma mls 32
cunninghamii ... 33
Lycopodiaceze 18
Lycopodium 102
billardieri 104
carolinianum 106
cernuum 105
clavatum 106
decurrens 107
densum 105
diffusum 106
@urvillet 107
Sastigiatum 106
Jlagellaria 104
Jussieut 107
laterale 106
lessonianum 107
iagellanicum ... 106
phlegmaria 104
pichinense 106
ramulosum 105
sanguisorba 102
scariosum 107
selago 103
sulcinervum 104
varium 104
volubile 107
Lygodium 96
articulatum 96
Maiden-hair fern... 52
Mamuka 28
Manga-manga 96
Marattiaceze 24
Marattia 97
fraxinea 97
salicina 97
Marsiliaceze 17
Moonwort 99
Nephrodium : 80
decompositum ... 82
glabellum 82
hispidum 83
molle ote 84.
pentangularum ... 82
propinguum ies 84
squamulosum, var. aie 81
thelypteris 81
unitum 83
velutinum 83
Nephrolepis 84
cordifolia 85
pectinata 85
tuberosa 85
Niphobotu 89
confluens 89

glaber
rupestris
Notochlena
distans
Onoclea nuda
Ophioglossaceze
Ophioglossum
coriaceum
costatum
elongatum
gramineum
lusitanicum
minimum
vulgatum
Osmundaceze
Osmunda
barbara
capensis
discolor
procera
reptans
ternata
Para

Parablechnum procerum

Pella
falcata
rotundifolia

Phegopteris rugulosa

Phylloglossum
drummondii

Phymatodes
billardiert
pustulata

Pilularia

novee-zeelandiz...

Platyloma
falcata
rotundifolia

Pleopeltis pustulata
Polybotrya nana ...

Polypodiaceze

Polypodium
adiantiforme
attenuatum
australe
billardieri
confluens

cunninghamii ...

diminutum
diversifolium

elzagnifolium . -

Jilipes
grammitidis
medullare

membranifolium

molle

10

130

novee-zelandise

penna-marina .

pennigerum
punctatum
pustulatum
rugulosum
rupestre
scandens
serpens
setosum
stellatum
sylvaticum
tenellum
unitum
viscidum
Polystichum
aristatum
coriaceum
hispidum
vestitum

Ponga ie

Psilotum
triquetrum
Pterideze
Pteris
affinis
aquilina
brunoniana
comans
endlicheriana
esculenta
incisa
macilenta
micropteris
montana
scaberula
tenuis
tremula
vespertilionis
Salvinieze
Schizeea
australis
bifida
cristata
dichotoma
fistulosa
forsteri
palmata
pectinata
propinqua
valdiviana
Schizzeaceze
Silver tree-fern

INDEX OF GENERA, SPECIES, &e.

PAGE

90
fee 67
. 8F
eee 86
89
86
89
90
89

Spharocionium aaa kale
Spleenwort ;
Stegania
alpina
falcata
Siuviatilis
lanceolata
minor
nuda
procera tite
Stenochlena heteromorpha ee
Tmesipteris
billardiert
forsteri
tannensis
truncata
Todea
africana
barbara
hymenophylloides
pellucida ais
rivularis
superba
Trichomanes
armstrongit
aureum
bivalve
colensoi
cunning hamii
demissum
dilatatum
elongatum, var.
endlicherianum ...
erectum
humile
leptophyllum
lyallii
malingit
multifidum
pacificum
- reniforme
rigidum
squarrasa
strictum
venosum
venustula
Umbrella-fern
Weki-ponga
Woodwardia
caudata
media
Xiphopteris heterophylla

PLATES.

—_>——_-

PLATE I.

Fig. 1. Gleichenia flabellata, seg-

Fig.

=
qj

. Dicksonia antarctica,

ment of frond (nat. size) ;
a, portion of same showing
sorus (mag.); 6, portion
of frond of G. circinata
(nat. size).

Cyathea dealbata, pinnule
(nat. size); a, portion of
same (mag.); 6, empty in-
volucre (mag. )

Hemitelia smithii, pinnule
(nat. size); a, portion of
same (mag.) ; b, empty in-
volucre (mag. )

Alsophila colensoi, pinnule
(nat. size); a, capsule
(mag. )

seg-

ment of pinnule (mag.); a,

sorus and involucre (much

mag.)

Loxsoma cunninghamii, por-

tion of frond (nat. size);
a, sorus and involucre
(mag. )
HAymenophyllum pulcherri-
mum, apex of frond (nat.
size); a, fragment of
same (mag.); b, involucre
with one valve removed
(mag. )

ig. 8. Trichomanes venosum, frond

(nat. size); @, sorus and
involucre (mag. )

Davallia nove-zelandia,
apex of frond (nat. size) ;
a, portion of pinnule
(mag. )

Fig.

Fig.

Fig.

6.

PLATE IT.

. Cystopteris fragilis, portion

of frond; a, sorus with
involucre turned back ;
b. involucre in position
covering the sorus (all
mag.)

. Lindsaya viridis, portion of

frond (nat. size); a, L.
linearis, portion of frond
(nat. size); b, segment of
same, showing sori with
the involucre turned back
(mag. )

. Adiantum ethiopicum, por-

tion of frond (nat. size) ;
a, involucre turned back,
showing the sorus placed
upon it (mag. )

. Aypolepis millefolium, por-

tion of frond (nat. size) ;
a, HH. distans, pinnule

(mag.)

. Cheilanthes tenuifolia, pinna

(inag.); «@, sorus with the
marginal involucre turned
back (much mag.)

Pellea rotundifolia, portion
of frond (nat. size); pinna
(mag.)

Pieris macilenta, pinnule
(mat. size); o, P. incisa,
pinnule (nat. size).

. Lomaria banksii, portion of

sterile frond (nat. size);
a, portion of fertile frond
(nat. size); b, back of
same (mag. )

. Doodia media, pinne (nat.

size); a, portion of same

(mag. )

132

PLATE III.

Fig. 1. Asplenium flabellifolium,
portion of frond (nat.
size).

Fig. 2. Asplenium flaccidum, portion
of frond (mag. )

Fig. 3. Aspidium capense, portion
of frond (nat. size); a,
sorus covered with shield-
like involucre (mag. )

Fig. 4. Nephrodium velutinum, por-
tion of frond (slightly
mag.); a, N. hispidum,
portion of frond (nat.
size); 0, segment of same
(mag.)

Fig. 5. Nephrolepis cordifolia, fer-
tile pinna (slightly mag.) ;
a, sorus (mag. )

Fig. 6. Polypodium pennigerum,
pinna (nat. size).

Fig. 7. Polypodium billardieri, apex
of frond (nat. size).

Fig. 8. Notochlena distans, apex of
frond (nat. size); a, pin-
nules showing sori (much
mag.)

Fig. 9. Gymnogramme leptophylia,
portion of frond (mag.);
a, G. pozot, portion of
frond (nat. size).

Fig. 10. Todea barbara, pinnules
(nat. size); a, portion of
same (mag.); b, capsule
(much mag.)

PLATES.

Fig. 11. Schizea dichotoma, apex of
frond (nat. size); a, S.
fistulosa, apex of fertile
frond (mag. )

PLATE IV.

Fig. 1. Lygodium articulatum, por-
tion of fertile frond (nat.
size); a, pinnule (mag.)

Fig. 2. Marattia frazxinea, portion
of pinna (nat. size); a,

one of the receptacles
open (mag.)-
Fig. 3. Ophioglossum vulgatum,

frond (nat. size); a, cap-
sules (mag. )

Fig. 4. Botrychium ternatum, fertile
and sterile fronds (re-
duced); a, portion of fer-
tile frond (mag.)

. 5. Phylloglossum drummondii
(nat. size); a, spike (mag. )

Fig. 6. Lycopodium volubile, fertile
and sterile branches (nat.
size); a, spore (much
mag. )

Fig. 7. Tmesipteris forsteri, portion
of frond (nat. size); cap-
sule after opening (mag.)

Fig. 8. Psilotum triquetrum, portion

of frond (nat. size); a,
capsules (mag. )

Walker, May, & Co., Printers, 9 Mackillop-street, Melbourne.

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