58 A CONTBIBTJTION TO, ETC. 



larger variety may be found near Manly Beach, and the smaller 

 on the creeks to the north of Parramatta. The largest species of 

 this genus is L. procera, which has a very wide geographical range, 

 being found in many parts of the southern hemisphere. 



The next genus Blechnwn (so called from UecJinon one of the 

 Greek names of the fern) may easily be confounded with the pre- 

 ceding; but generally speaking, the indusium in Lomaria is 

 formed from the altered margin of the frond, whilst that of JBleck- 

 num is distinct. This may be useful to guide us in determining 

 our Australian species, but the rule does not seem to hold in 

 every case, so that some botanists propose to unite the genera. 

 Three species, B. cartilagineum, j& striatum, and JS. Icevigatum 

 are very common in New South "Wales, but, like some of the 

 species of Lomaria, they are subject to considerable variation. 

 " JB. Icevigatum" Hooker remarks, " is a very distinct species, and 

 appears to be confined to one locality, being remarkable for the 

 two forms of frond, the one with broad, sterile pinnae, the other, 

 narrow, fertile ones." It is common on the banks of some creeks 

 near Sydney, and generally prefers a moist situation under a rock. 

 Some of the fronds, springing up in favourable localities, are so 

 large that they resemble Lomaria procera, but they may easily 

 be distinguished by the fructification. 



Dr. I\ Mueller reports that jB. orientale, which is identical with 

 the East Indian species, has recently been found in North - 

 Eastern Australia. All the species of Lomaria and Blechnum may 

 be dried and pressed without difficulty, but the spores of the 

 fertile fronds are so numerous that they frequently disfigure the 

 papers on which they are placed. 



The genus Doodia, which derives its name from Samuel Doody, 

 a London apothecary, who was almost the first investigator of 

 British Cryptogamic Botany, comprises a few species of small, 

 rough, and erect ferns, with oblong sori, arranged transversely, 

 with the veins forming areolse, or little spaces. The Australian 

 species enumerated by Hooker, are D. aspera, D. blechnoides, D. 

 media, and D. caudata, but if we follow up the principles laid down 



curious variety of L. discolor. Whilst presenting the usual characteristics of 

 the species, the segments of the frond are pinnatipartite half way down from 

 the apex of each segment, giving the fern a remarkable and elegant appear- 

 ance. As some young plants were secured, Mr. Parcel will be able to deter- 

 mine whether the variety is likely to be permanent. 



