338 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
They have a wide geographical range, chiefly tropical, 
extending to Japan in the north, and New Zealand in the 
south. With a few exceptions, they present great uni- 
formity in general character and appearance; in some  , 
instances the same or closely allied species are found in He 
old and new worlds. They often grow among bushes, and 
their fronds being indefinite they attain a great length. 
In the Bellenden Ker range of mountains, Queensland, 
Gleichenia Hermanni is described as forming an impene- 
trable jungle among tree Ferns and other trees, attaining 
the height of 50 or 60 feet, supported by its horizontal 
pinne similar to Lygodium. 
* Sori non-indusiate. 
195.—Puatyzoma, R. Br. (1810). 
Vernation sarmentose. Fronds contiguous, linear, 6 inches 
to a foot long, pinnatifid, pinnate; segments numerous, ` 
small, sub-orbicular, 1 to 2 lines long, revolute saccate. ` 
. Veins simple. Sporangia 2 to 4 terminal, included under 
the revolute margins, immersed in powdery matter. 
Type. Platyzoma microphylla, R. Br. e 
Illust. Hook. and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 41, C. ; Moore Ind. 
Fil, p. 87, A; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 1, fig. 1. p 
Oss.—This genus is founded on a solitary species, first ` : 
found on the shores of the Gulf of Carpentaria, and since ` 
then in other parts of tropical and sub-tropical Australia. ` 
It is scarcely distinct from Gleichenia, except in the fronds * 
being simple; in habit it resembles Jamesonia, bui the 
divisions of the fronds are even smaller than in the s 
smallest of that genus. See, 
. Sp. As above. 
