BY W. WALTER WATTS. 397 



fern that, at a little distance, may be mistaken for a young 

 tree-fern; also Cyathea Macarthurii F.v.M. 



In the "runs," small specimens of Tnchomanes Baueri- 

 anum Endl.,(T. apiifolium Presl.) were found. These speci- 

 mens were afterwards destined to be dwarfed into insignifi- 

 cance. The local name is "Feather-fern," not "Parsley- 

 fern," as stated by Mr. Maiden, in 1898. 



Up the slopes of Mt. Lidgbird, and close under the stupen- 

 dous cliffs of its north-eastern and eastern faces, I collected 

 small specimens of Pol ij podium austraJe Mitt., and Polypo- 

 diwni flooheri Brack. These specimens were similar in size 

 to those found in Australia, but were quite outclassed by the 

 very fine plants afterwards collected on Mt. Gower. Here, 

 also, I found good specimens, as afterwards in similar situa- 

 tions round Mt. Gower, of the unique Polystichum Moorei 

 Chr,. which is locally known as "the heavy fern," on account 

 of the weightiness of a good-sized fruiting frond. Nephrole- 

 pis cordifolia (Sw.) also grows about the base of the cliffs, and 

 elsewhere in the mountains. 



The climax of the fern-riches of Lord Howe Island is 

 reached on the higher slopes and the summit of Mt. Gower. 

 Here are to be found, in utmost profusion, Hy menophyllunt 

 pumUutn C. Moore, H. muUifidum Swartz, Trichomanes 

 Bauerianu/n Endl., (magnificent specimens), Asplenium pte- 

 7-id%oi({es Baker, Blechiium capense (L.) Schlecht (Lomaria 

 Willd.), B. coftenuatum (Sw.) Mett., 5. Fidlagnri (F.v.M.) 

 Chr., Dryopteris decomposita (R.Br.) O. Ktze., var. nephro- 

 dioides iDicksonia nephrodioides ) (F.v.M.)., Also})hUa robusta 

 C. Moore (.1. austrfilis, var. nigresceiis Benth.) ; also, 

 though less plentifully, Hemitelia Moorei Baker, Cyathea 

 hrevijiinna Baker, Leptoptcris Moorei Chr., Hymenophyl- 

 hini minimu?n Sw. The last two I did not find, and ray speci- 

 mens of Hemitelia were poor ; but Mr. King and his son very 

 kindly made a special trip to the top of Mt. Gower, and 

 brought me down specimens of Hemitelia and Lepfopteris. 

 Hymenophyllum mdnim^um I did not secure. Regarding 



