400 Transactions. — Botany. 



even. Eeceptacle pale, erect, broadly ovoid, pilose. Veins 

 few, usually 5 pairs, the lower 2-3 pairs forked, single 

 above, alternate, clear, white, not extending to margin. 

 Scales very numerous and of different sizes, narrow, subulate ; 

 of stipe lin., of frond 2-3 lines long, brown, with many dark 

 (black) veins, the central ones parallel from base to apex, 

 forming long vertical loops, the lateral ones anastomosing 

 freely, the sides of scales subtranslucent, margins entire 

 above, irregularly and slightly sharp-serrate below, their bases 

 dilated and finely laciniate (a truly remarkable sight under 

 a microscope) . 



Ha b. In dense forests north- west from Dannevirke, County 

 of Waipawa ; 1894 : W. C. 



Obs. I. A species near H. smithii, Hook, f., but differing 

 in several characters ; as, acuminate pinnae, smaller entire 

 segments, colour, pilose receptacles, and very peculiar and 

 largely-veined scales of a different colour, &c. Its general 

 appearance is also very different, especially young plants with 

 trunks 4ft. to oft. high (before they bear sori) : these have a 

 very striking appearance ; their pleasing vivid grass-green 

 colour, small segments, and densely scaly fronds arrest the 

 beholder's eye and attention. 



II. I have long been of opinion that greater scrutiny should 

 be given by pteridologists (not mere amateurs, fern-growers, 

 and collectors) to the scales of ferns — their form, consistency, 

 venation, colour, and structure. Nature is ever great, true, 

 and constant in what men term small things. 



Genus 11. Adiantum, Linn. 

 1. A. viridescens, sp. nov. 



Plant small, indistinctly sub-pedate-deltoid, acuminate ; 

 stipe 4in.-5in.. dry, channelled on upper surface, bright red- 

 brown ; frond 5in.-6in. long, bipinnate, pinnae 2, sometimes 

 3, pairs, tripinnate at base of 2 lower pinnae ; pinnules stipitate, 

 free, rather distant, glabrous, shining, grass-green on both 

 sides, thin, flat ; main segments narrow, sublinear, oblong, 

 7-8 lines long, 2 lines wide, falcate, lower margin entire, 

 upper margin sublaciniate ; barren laciniae serrate, teeth 

 white produced sharp ; fertile very broad, rounded, incurved 

 over involucre, with orbicular space between, margins white ; 

 terminal pinnules very long, narrow ovate-acuminate ; stipes, 

 rhachises, and petioles scaly and hairy ; scales and hair bright 

 red-brown, very long and curly ; basal scales dense, flat, 

 subulate, lin.-liin. long, veins netted. Involucres few (4-6) 

 on upper margin, lai'ge orbicular, flat, with a very deep sinus 

 corresponding with laciniae ; white, membranaceous (hyaline 

 young), with dark centre, — gaping, brown, crisped and curled 

 in age. Veins numerous, branching, having in larger segments 



