KiKK. — On Aspleniuni um'orosuin. 425 



habit, the extremely dehcate texture, and the more simple 

 cutting ; while the stipe and rhachis are more or less clothed 

 with narrowdinear scales, which are sometimes piliferous. 

 The h-onds vary in forin from ohloug to deltoid, the apical 

 portion in all cases being rather long and narrow. They are 

 from 1ft. to 1ft. 5in. long and from -lin. to Gin. broad, the stipe 

 being about onedialf the length of the entire frond ; and are 

 twice-pinnate at the base, the upper portion being usually 

 pinnatifid ; the pinnules are rounded at the tips, and minutely 

 or coarsely serrate. The sori are short, broad, and slightly 

 curved. 



Before the sori arrive at maturit}' the pinnules are flat and 

 open, the entire frond generally resembling that of the North 

 American Asplenmm thdypteroides, Michaux, except that its 

 outline is oblong rather than lanceolate ; but as the sori 

 approach maturity the pinnules become contracted at the 

 margin, and slightly convex above, wdien the frond assumes 

 the appearance of a small form of Asplcniuvi filix-foemina, 

 Bernh., in this respect surpassing another indigenous fern, 

 Hypolcpis distans, Hook., which has hitherto been supposed 

 to approach it most closely in general appearance. The 

 ■extremely membranous texture is very remarkable ; it is 

 nearly as delicate as Cystoptcris frarjUis , Bernh. 



Mr. jMcKerrow Campbell informed me that the fresh plant 

 when bruised exhales an odour like that of tobacco. Certain 

 states of Doodia media are said to emit a similar perfume, 

 although I have not been able to perceive it. A state of 

 Pteris scaberula, A. Rich., gives off a delicious odour as of 

 lemons ; while Polypodiion scandens, Forster, was formerly 

 used by the Maoris, wdien mixed with fat, to anoint their 

 hair ctud bodies, on account of its fragrance. 



I append a technical description of the plant under notice, 

 and have to acknowdedge my indebtedness to Mr. McKerrow 

 Campbell for his kindness in forwarding specimens. 



Aspleniam vrahrosmn, J. Smith, var. tcnuifoUum. 



Rhizome creeping, more slender than in the type. Fronds 

 erect or sub-erect, 12in. to IGin. high, oblong oblong-acuminate 

 or deltoid, twice-pinnate at the base, pinnatifid above ; 

 pinnules flat or convex, minutely or coarsely serrate. Rhachis 

 extremely slender, filiform above, more or less clothed with 

 scattered membranous scales. 



Hah. South Island, Takaka Valley, Nelson. J. McKerrow 

 Campbell. 



