^J^''^' 1 Pitcher, Remarks on Ferns; i t, 



1913 J o 



ubiquitous fern have been exhibited at our Chib meetings 

 on several occasions, 



P. incisa, Batswing Fern, is to be met with in most of our 

 mountain fern gulhes, and is easily recognized by its soft 

 greyish-green, slender, compound fronds, with long, bare 

 stipes, frequently three to five or more feet in height. 



P. conians. Hairy Bracken, is a beautiful species, to be found 

 in much lesser abundance than the preceding in Gippsland 

 and other fern gullies. 

 In the next genus, Lomaria, there is a marked difference 



between the fertile and sterile fronds. 



L. Pater soni, Strap Fern, has usually only partly divided and 

 leaf-like fronds. The specific name was given after one 

 of the early Administrators of the Government of New- 

 South Wales. 



L. discolor. Fishbone Fern, is perhaps the commonest of our 

 Victorian ferns, abounding along almost every upland water- 

 course. Forms of this species with variously divided pinnae 

 are occasionally met with, and are much valued by nursery- 

 men and fern lovers. 



L. lanceolata, Lance Fern, is one of the most beautiful of the 

 genus, but is only found in the vicinity of watercourses. 

 Its dark green fronds with pinkish midrib make it par- 

 ticularly attractive. 



L. alp ilia, Alpine Lomaria, is the smallest of all the Australian 

 species, with neat fronds from three to six inches in length : 

 recorded from Otway Ranges, the Buffalo Mountains, and 

 other alpine districts. 



L. fliiviatilis. Delicate Water Fern. The fronds of this species 

 are generally horizontally developed, six to twelve inches 

 in length. Found in the darker gullies in mountain 

 districts, associated with L. lanceolata, which it rivals in 

 beauty. 



The last species of this genus is L. capensis, Soft Water Fern, 

 with its variety L. procera (Rough Water Fern). The 

 fronds of this species are frequently of a light green 

 colour, and have narrower pinnae, while the variety has 

 darker and leather-like fronds. The young fronds, in their 

 early development, often assume a beautiful reddish 

 colour, due, probably, in a large measure to the soils in 

 which it is then found. 

 The genus Lomaria, in the recent classification, is included 



under Blechnum, which has hitherto had only one repre- 

 sentative amongst Victorian ferns, viz. : — 



Blechnum cartilagineiim. Gristle Fern. This fern is found 

 distributed throughout the State in the vicinity of fern- 

 gullies in mountain districts. Like the previously- 



