\^^j^^'~\ Pitcher, Remarks 071 Ferns. 17 



divided fronds are three to six inches long, in this species 

 they are rarely more than three inches. 

 The last species, P. punctatum, Ground Polypody, has a 

 distinctive habit, as its common name implies. It has, 

 also, very much divided fronds one to four feet in length, 

 which rise from its creeping rhizome under the surface 

 of the ground. It has a downy and greyish-green appear- 

 ance. It is found in and adjacent to fern gullies, while 

 a smooth variety is found in exposed positions along 

 mountain tram and other tracks in upland districts. 

 The genus Notholsena has two species, A^. Brownii or vellea, 

 Downy Rock Fern, and A^^. distans. Bristly Rock Fern. Both 

 of these are included in the " Key to Victorian Plants " under 

 Cheilanthes, They are both small ferns, similar in habit, with 

 fronds up to six inches in length. The former has its pinnae 

 covered underneath with woolly, and the latter with bristly, 

 scales. The former is recorded from North-West Victoria : 

 the latter is found in the Dividing and Otway Ranges. 



The only remaining family of this group of Polypodiese, and 

 the last genus to be included in this summary of Victorian 

 ferns, is that of Grammitis, which possesses two species in our 

 State. These are G. rut cb folia, Common Rue Fern, and G. 

 leptophylla, Delicate Rue Fern. Both of these are small 

 plants with tufted, fan-shaped, greyish-green or brown coloured 

 fronds up to six inches long. In the former species they are 

 covered with brown scaly hairs. The plants, although rather 

 rare now, were frequently to be found growing in the crevices 

 of basaltic and other rocks on the banks of creeks around 

 Melbourne. It is now to be found in similar situations farther 

 out, extending to the Grampians and to the Otway and Gipps- 

 land ranges. The latter species is more delicate, and at times 

 very minute, and is, moreover, very distinct, by being an 

 annual plant. It is recorded from numerous localities in 

 various parts of the State, but is more largely found in upland 

 districts. 



We have now hastily glanced through the complete series 

 of Victorian ferns, although we have only been able to refer 

 in a genera] way to each species. Their respective geographical 

 distributions, with other particulars, are given in the alpha- 

 betical list which is appended to this paper. 



Propagation and Cultivation of Ferns. 



As with the generality of ferns, so many of our native ferns 

 may be propagated in various ways according to their different 

 habits and modes of growth. 



Although I do not know of any extensive propagation of our 

 Victorian species by spores, either by florists or nurserymen or 



