NEW ZEALAND FERNS 59 



fronds, some of which were more than 3 m. in length, growing 

 in a low wood of Leptospermum scoparium on Reef Point, north- 

 west Auckland. Pinnae were absent until the bright light was 

 gained. The final portion of the rachis was green and succulent, 

 and the distance between the pinnae in one example 46 cm. 

 These latter were still coiled up and quite rudimentary, although 

 the largest was 25 cm. long. In some examples the rachis was 

 twisted and showed an evident tendency to twine. Such a case 

 as the rapid spread of Pteridium under its new conditions in New 

 Zealand, considered along with other examples of indigenous 

 species becoming aggressive, should be of interest with regard 

 to the origin of certain so-called primitive plant associations of 

 Europe, for the new conditions are European rather than New 

 Zealand. This is still more true with regard to the new flora 

 and vegetation now in the making out of the firmly established 

 host of introduced species, mostly European, and the much dimin- 

 ished aboriginals. 



