Nephrodium.] FILICES. 1003 
much the largest, unequally deltoid with the basal secondary pinna 
on each side much longer than the rest; upper pinne gradualliv 
smaller, ovate-lanceolate. Secondary pinnz lanceolate, deeply 
pinnatifid or the lower again pinnate; ultimate segments close, 
unequal - sided, ovate- rhomboid to lanceolate-rhomboid, acutely 
toothed or lobed. Sori rather large, distant, nearer the margin 
than the midrib. Indusium orbicular-reniform.—Hook. f. Fl. Nov. 
Zel. ii. 39, t. 79; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 878; Hook. Sp. Fil. iv. 146; 
Hook. and Bak. Syn. Fil. 281; Thoms. N.Z. Ferns, 82 ; Field, N.Z. 
Ferns, 131, t.5,f.7. N. pentangularum, Col. in. Tasmanian Journ. 
Nat. Sci. (1845) 9. Aspidium decompositum, BPTENG, Syst. iv. 109 ; 
Benth. Fl. Austral. vii. 758. 
KermaDrec Isnuanps, NortH AND SoutH IsLANDS, CHATHAM JSLANDS: 
Not uncommon in lowland districts, usually in rich alluvial soils. Sea-level 
‘to 1200 ft. 
An abundant Australian plant, ranging from the north of Queensland to 
‘Tasmania, also in Norfolk Island. 
3. N. glabellum, A. Cunn. Precur. n. 224.—Rhizome short, stout, 
tufted, clothed with the bases of the old stipites intermixed with 
subulate scales. Stipes 4-10in. long, slender, firm, scaly at the 
base, glabrous or nearly so above. Fronds tufted at the top of the 
rhizome, 6-14in. long or more without the stipes, 4-10in. broad, 
ovate-deltoid, acuminate, membranous but firm, dark-green, 2-3- 
pinnate; surfaces almost glabrous except the rhachis and coste, 
which are more or less clothed with short reddish pubescence. 
Primary pinne 2-5in. long; the lowest pair the largest, deltoid, 
not so unequal-sided as in N. decompositum, and the basal second- 
ary pinne not conspicuously longer than the rest; upper pinne 
lanceolate, acuminate; secondary rhachises margined throughout. 
Secondary pinne obliquely ovate-lanceolate or lanceolate, deeply 
pinnatifid or the lower again pinnate; ultimate segments ovate or 
oblong, sharply toothed or lobed. Sori distant, about half-way 
between the margin and the midrib. Indusium pale, orbicular- 
reniform.—Raoul, Choiz, 38; Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. x. (1878) 
390; Lhoms. N.Z. Ferns, 82; Field, N.Z. Ferns, 131, t. 6, £. 8. 
N. decompositum var. pubescens, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. ii. 39. 
N. decompositum var. microphyllum, Hook. Sp. Fil. iv. 146. N. 
decompositum var. glabellum, Hook. and Bak. Syn. Fil. 281. 
NortuH AnD SoutH Isuanps: In dry woods from the North Cape to Foveaux 
Strait, not uncommon. Sea-level to 1500 ft. 
Also in Australia and several of the Polynesian islands. Closely allied to 
N. decompositum, but sufficiently distinct in the short (not creeping) rhizome, 
the nearly glabrous stipes, the smaller dark-green and glossy tufted fronds, with 
a narrower outline, and with the surfaces glabrous except a reddish pubescence 
-on the rhachis and coste. 
