80 A CONTRIBUTION TO, ETC. 



linear spikelets. The fronds sometimes twine from twenty to 

 forty feet, and the pinnae are usually conjugate, lobed, palmate, 

 pinnatifid, pinnate or bipinnate. The species of Schiz&a are a- 

 mongst the most singular looking ferns known. The fertile appen- 

 dices are terminal, and form a pinnate crest of linear segments, 

 and in their appearance, they may be compared to dried leaves 

 on the top of simple or forked stems. Four species of Schiztea 

 were described by Brown, viz., S. rupestris, S.Jistulosa, S. bifida 

 and S. dicJiotoma, but Dr. F. Mueller regards the last two as mere 

 varieties of one species. 8. rupestris is a very diminutive plant, 

 generally growing on the caudices of Todea barbara, or amongst 

 mosses on some moist rock by the side of a creek. It seems to 

 be known only at present as occurring at Port Jackson, Parra- 

 matta, and the Blue Mountains, but as the species is very small, 

 and very unlike other ferns, it is probable that collectors in 

 other parts may have passed it by without notice. 8. lifida is 

 more common and more widely diffused. It is a singular look- 

 ing plant, with its fructification at the extremity of leafless stems, 

 and has so little resemblance to ordinary ferns, that persons un- 

 accustomed to the examination of such plants, might easily pass 

 it by as if were a tuft of some grassy plant in a decaying state. 

 S.fistulosa is marked by Brown as a Tasmaniaii species, but Dr. 

 F. Mueller has recently found it between Wilson's Promontory, 

 and "Western Port. Lygodium occurs in the East Indies and 

 America, as well as Australia, and on this continent appears to 

 be limited to two species, both of which are tropical, viz., L. 

 inicropliyllum, and L. semi-bipinnatum. Whether these species are 

 really distinct from those found in other parts of the world, is 

 not altogether clear. It may be remarked that the genus is now 

 divided, the plants with netted veins being referred to Lygodictyon. 

 L. articulatwm is from New Zealand, and L. fleocuosum and L. 

 scandens (microphyllum ?) from the East Indies and China. 



SUB-ORDER 13. Osmundacece. 



This suborder is now limited to two or three genera, differing 

 in habit and appearance, but having spore-cases, somewhat glo- 

 bose, pedicellate, reticulated, unilocular, bivalved, with an ob- 

 lique apex, and destitute of a ring. Brown's Osmunda, which is 

 now Todea barbara, is a large fern common on creeks near Sydney, 

 and sometimes assuming the appearance of a dwarf tree fern. 



