8 Pitcher, Remarks on Ferns. [v^T'xxx 



description of the whole of our Victorian ferns, among which 

 are representatives of each tribe. 



Victorian Ferns. 



I have included the whole of the 73 species mentioned in the 

 list before referred to, and classified the species there enumer- 

 ated according to their places among these tribes. 



The first tribe, Ophioglosseae, is distinguished by their fronds 

 not being circinate or gyrate, as in all other ferns ; the sterile 

 ones like ordinary leaves, the fertile ones like spikelets, simple 

 or compound. Spore-cases globular, two-valved, without ring, 

 sessile, in two rows. 



Two genera are represented in Victoria — viz., Ophioglossum 

 (which is the type plant) and Botrychium. One species of 

 the former, 0. vulgatttm, a little plant seldom reaching six 

 inches in height, and known as the Adder's Tongue Fern, is 

 familiar to collectors. It was formerly to be found in moist 

 ground in the eastern and southern districts around Melbourne, 

 and is also found in Gippsland, Fernshaw, and Grampians. 



Of Botrychium there are two species — B. lunaria. Common 

 Moonwort, and B. tematiim, Meadow Moon wort. Both are 

 small plants, generally not exceeding 8 or 9 inches high, and 

 difficult to distinguish from surrounding vegetation unless 

 closely searched for. The latter species has its fertile panicle 

 broader than the former. These plants, although recorded 

 from upland districts, principally in the o\)ex\ forest land, have 

 also been found in the vicinity of Melbourne. 



The second tri]:)e, MaratticcT, have fronds which are crozier- 

 like in development, sori forming marginal lobes to the seg- 

 ments or placed on under surface of fronds, spore-cases sessile 

 or united in two rows, without a complete ring, o]-)ening in 

 two valves. 



The type fern of this tribe, Marattia, is not represented in 

 Victoria, but there is one representative genus, Schiziiea, of 

 which there are two species — viz., S. fishtlosa, Comb Fern, and 

 S bifida, Forked Comb Fern. These rush-like ferns rarely 

 attain to more than nine inches in height. The forms of their 

 fertile fronds have led to their common names. The former 

 is recorded from various ui)land districts, but the latter from 

 Brighton district only. 



The third tribe, Osmundea?, have fronds circinate in verna- 

 tion, entirely or in ]mrt fertile, fructification dorsal, spore-cases 

 nearly or quite globular, scarcely any or without ring, opening 

 in two valves. 



Two genera of this tribe are found in Victoria — Gleichenia 

 and Todea — both of which are well known. The former has 

 four species — G. circinata. Coral Fern, G. dicarpa. Wire Fern, 



