Laing. — The Norfolk Island Species of Pteris. 



235 



P. Bnmoniana; and the other is P. {Histiopteris) incisa, which was appa- 

 rently not collected by Bauer, but was first recorded by Miiller from 

 specimens collected by Carne. Thus I have no form corresponding to 

 P. Zahlbruckneriana Endl. Maiden considers this as perhaps the same 

 as P. quadriaurita and P. Trattinickiana ; but as these are both forked- 

 veined this cannot be so. Christensen regards it as a synonym of P. comans, 

 and there is certainly little in Endlicher's description to separate it from 

 P. comans. Hooker and Baker do not record it. I have no opinion of my 

 own to offer on the matter, and think that it may well be left as a doubtful 

 synonym of P. comans. P. comans of the island is a much more luxuriant 

 form than that of New Zealand, and much more membranous in texture, 

 but scarcely otherwise difierent. 



(e.) Pteris Brunoniana Endl., No. 38. 



I quote Endlicher's description of P. Brunoniana: ^'Pteris Brunoniana 

 frondibus 3-pinnatis membranaceis glaberrimis subtus glaucescentibus ; 

 foliolis alternis oppositisque, pinnulis oppositis sessilibus lanceolatis obtusi- 

 usculis, infimis basi repandis, superioribus confluentibus, terminali elongato, 

 venulis anastomosantibus. Pteridi Vespertilionis afl&nis. Pinnas video 

 pedales sesquipedalesque, utrinque foliolis sessilibus subdenis duodenisve 

 oppositis V. in altero specimine alternis, patentissimis 4-6 pollicaribus 

 infimis sterilibus summisque brevioribus onustas. Pinnulae sessiles oppo- 

 sitae, patientiusculae, 10-14 lin. longae, semi pollicem latae, basi inter 

 se coadunatae dilatatae, sub-repandae, superiores breviores confluentes, 

 terminalis elongata angustata, 2-pollicaris, latitudine 3-lineari, basi obsolete 

 repanda, apice integerrima acutiuscula, omnes utrinque glaberrimae, supra 

 obscure virides, subtus glaucescentes. Venulae anastomosantes, sori con- 

 tinui V. rarius interrupti ; indusia angustissima, demum patientiuscula. 

 Rhachis communis partialesque glaberrimae." 



It seems to me that P. Bnmoniana is quite distinct from P. incisa. 

 with which Christ^nsen regards it as synonymous, and Maiden doubtfully 

 so. The species P. Bnmoniana Endl. will therefore have to be re-established. 



The following show some of the points of distinction between the 

 Norfolk Island forms of these two species : — ■ 



Undoubtedly on Norfolk Island the two species are distinct, though 

 it is possible that elsewhere there may be intermediates between P. incisa 

 and P. Brunoniana. I have left this fern under the genus Histiopteris, 

 though further examination may show that it should be included under 

 Pteris. 



