1 6 Pitcher, Remarks on Ferns. [v^h^'xxx. 



the number of fronds developed in a single plant. It is 

 found in most fern gullies throughout the State, occasionally 

 on the trunks and at the base of tree ferns. 



A. ieneviim. Tender Shield Fern. This species is stated to 

 closely resemble the last-mentioned species, but has the 

 pinnules more regularly lobed or dentate, and sori nearer 

 the margin. I am not sure of the locality in which this is 

 found, although specimens in the National Herbarium I 

 was privileged to examine are labelled from Mount 

 Dromedary. 



.4. hispidiim, Hairy Shield Fern, is another very l)eautiful species, 

 with clear bases or stipes half as long as fronds, and 

 covered with hairs. Fronds one to two feet long. I have 

 some fine specimens from Beech Forest of this fern, which 

 is found also in the Healesville and Gippsland districts. 

 The genus Polypodium 1)elongs to the second group of Poly- 



podiese, having sori without indusium (covering) It is a well- 

 known family, and comprises six species. 



Polypodium aiistrale, Finger Fern, is one of the smaller kinds, 

 with simple or undivided fronds a few inches only in 

 length and of a greyish-green colour. It is found prin- 

 cipally on the trunks of tree ferns in most of the fern 

 gullies throughout the State. 



Polypodium gnimmilidis, Gipsy Fern, is small, and similar in 

 habit of growth to the preceding ; but the fronds are deeply 

 divided or forked. It is found in the Otway as well as 

 in the Dandenong, Healesville, and Gippsland ranges, 

 growing on tree ferns and other vegetation. 



P. serpens. Creeping Polypody. Another small Init rarer species, 

 with fronds of a glaucous green colour, thick in texture, 

 and generally not more than two inches in length. Found 

 growing on the branches of stems and on rocks in fcrn- 

 guUies in East Gippsland. 



P. pustulatmn. Spotted Polypody, is one of the most familiar 

 of our climbing ferns, found growing principally along the 

 trunks and at the summit of tree ferns in nearly all 

 mountain gullies. It is found, too, on other vegetation 

 there, as weU as (at times) in exposed positions on rocky 

 boulders. The fronds are developed along the creeping 

 rhizome, and are up to eighteen inches long. A beauti- 

 fully crested form of this species is to be seen in the fernery 

 at the Geelong Botanic Gardens. 



P. scandens, Scented Polypody, is a species of similar habit, 

 and difficult of distinction from the preceding species. 

 The recorded difference is that the fronds of this species 

 are membranous, while the preceding are of firm texture, 

 and that, while in the former species the segments of the 



