84 Transactions. 



N. Ins pid ii in Hook, is a most characteristic fern of damp shaded gullies 

 in the forest. It is one of the largest species in the family, and is easily 

 distinguished by the rigid bristles on the stipes and rhachis. 



N. r/ongylodes Schott, probably better known as N. unitum R. Br., is 

 essentially a tropical fern, and was for a long time supposed to occur " only 

 in the immediate neighbourhood of the hot springs and lakes of the North 

 Island."* 



This fern is, however, by no means uncommon in marshes, mostly mari- 

 time, from the North Cape to Rsef Point. 



N. parasiticum, Desv. = N. molleDesv. : Like A T . unitum, this is a tropical 

 fern. According to Thomson (I.e., p. 84), " It is only known certainly from 

 one locality in New Zealand — viz., on the bank of the Otumakokori or Boiling 

 River, at the foot of the Paeroa Range, in the North Island, and there it 

 occurs sparingly." Since then it was found on " margins of hot springs 

 at Wairakei " (Taupo) (Manual, p. 1006). But more recent discoveries 

 have shown that this lovely fern is not quite as restricted as was thought. 

 Some years ago my friend Mr. H. B. Matthews, of Kaitaia, discovered a 

 small patch of N. parasiticum on the slopes of Pukewhau, not far from 

 Rangaunu Harbour, a wide opening on the north-east coast of the county. 

 Last year he and I were delighted to find several fair-sized clumps and 

 scattered plants on the bank of the Kaitaia-Awanui River, a few miles 

 below Kaitaia. The situation is sheltered on all sides by tall scrub, and, 

 judging from the size of the largest patch, the plant has been long established. 



Mr. Matthews is of opinion that this fern was at one time fairly plentiful 

 along the river, but the advent of cattle has caused it to decrease. He 

 also thinks that the patch at Mangatete (Pukewhau) may have originated 

 from spores carried by cattle, which in the early days were pastured some- 

 times on the river-bank, and at others in the hilly country around Mangatete, 

 about ten miles distant. This is quite feasible, for a portion of a frond 

 bearing ripe spores might have travelled from the one station to the other 

 in the cleft of a bullock's hoof, or even if a beast had browsed off a part of 

 a frond before leaving one place some of the spores so carried to the other 

 might have developed in the new habitat ; but, be this as it may, this rare 

 fern occurs in both places. 



Nepkrodium parasiticum is a fern well worth a place in every fernery, 

 but it requires a sheltered situation, thriving well in a glasshouse. Its pale- 

 green delicate fronds, with slender acuminate pinnae, ascending and droop- 

 ing gracefully, render the plant a ching of beauty. 



Judging by the dimensions given in the Manual, our northern form is 

 quite as well developed as the forms which occur in the heated soil and warm 

 vapours of the Hot Lake district. 



It is quite possible that this fern may vet be found in other parts of the 

 county, or even south from here. " It has been recorded from Whangarei 

 by Mr. Robert Mair."f This, however, has not been confirmed. 



22. Polypodium Linn. 



' This, the largest genus of ferns, containing over 500 species, found in 

 all parts of the world " (Manual, p. 1008), is represented in New Zealand by 

 ten species, all of which, save P. novae-zealandiae, occur in this district. 



* " The Fern and Fern Allies of New Zealand," G. M. Thomson, p. 84. 

 f Thomson, I.e., p. 84. 



