14 Pitcher, Remarks on Ferns. [ 



Vict. Nat. 

 Vol. XXX. 



mentioned Lomaria, the young fronds oftt-n assume a 

 red or pinkish hue in some exposed positions. It is some- 

 what similar at certain stages to Lomaria discolor, but the 

 pinnae are eventually much broader, different in colour, 

 and longer. The distinctive band of sori which is borne 

 along the midrib of tlie pinnae makes this fern, when in 

 fruit, easily recognizable. 

 The next genus, Doodia, known also as Woodwardia, contains 

 two species, D. aspcra, Rasp Fern, and D. caudata. Small Rasp 

 Fern — ^the former with fronds up to twelve inches and the 

 latter six to nine inches in height. D. aspcra is to be found 

 on rocky ground on the banks of creeks and watercourses in 

 various parts of the State, from Lome (where it may be seen 

 in great colour beauty) to East Gippsland. D. caudata is found 

 in the vicinity of fern gullies in the Dandenong and other ranges. 

 \ The genus Asplenium, which follows, has nine Victorian 

 species. In this genus the sori are arranged in lines on the 

 under side of the frond, on veins proceeding from the midrib. 

 A. nidus, Bird's-nest Fern, is well known by its undivided 

 fronds, two to six feet in length, and the form assumed by 

 the plant. In Victoria the species has been recorded only 

 from East Gippsland. 

 A. tvicliomanes. Common Spleenwort— a small, neat, black- 

 stemmed fern. Fronds up to six inches in length, with 

 rounded pinnae. It is found in alpine regions. 

 A. flahelli folium, Rat-tail Spleenwort, is a well-known delicate 

 little fern, generally found growing in the crevices of rocks 

 and other places in the vicinity of trickling streams or 

 other watercourses in all the States. Fronds usually up 

 to twelve inches in length, although Mr. J. Stickland 

 exhibited some much longer ones at one of our meetings 

 last year. 

 A. Hookeriamim, Hooker Spleenwort, recorded from Beech 

 Forest and East Gippsland ; a rather rare species, with 

 slender fronds six inches in length. 

 A. furcatum (syn. .4. prcemorsmn), Forked Spleenwort. A still 

 rarer species than the preceding, from the Gram [nans 

 district, with dark green coriaceous fronds from six to 

 eighteen inches long, with segments of pinucE deeply and 

 irregularly serrated. 

 A. ohtusatiim. Sea Spleenwort. This species was recorded l)y 

 the late Baron von Mueller as A. inariniini. It is stated 

 to be usually found near the coast, and has been recorded 

 from East (rippsland. 

 A . hulhiferiim, Mother Spleenwort, has dark green fronds one to 

 two feet long, and is found in the denser fern-gullies in 

 many of our mountain districts, often growing on and at 



