THE PTERIDOPHYTA OF THE JUAN FERNANDEZ ISLANDS 



35 



Common in the forest belt from Pto Frances to Juanango, and ranging 

 vertically from 200 to 640 m or more, in dense groves or in open glades along 

 streams and cascades. (Fertile Dec. — March.) 



Masatierra: C. Chifladores, qucbrada in the interior of Pto Fran< 1 

 500 m, not uncommon; Q. Piedra agujeriada, c. 650 m; Pangal; Q. de la Da 

 maj nana, frequent at the small waterfalls, 250 — 350 m (no. 64, 217); near Pla- 

 zoleta del Yunque, ca. 250 m (no. 64 B); V. Colonial, Q. del Monte Maderugo, 

 235 m; Cave no. V, rare; C. Salsipuedes, fern grove, 600 m; Q. Villagra, below 

 the pass, c. 500 m, scarce; Q. de la Choza, in forest c. 250 m; S. slope of Co 

 Chumacera, in a BoeAmerza-patch. 



Masafuera: Forest on the Sanchez plain, 515 m; fissures in the coast 

 cliffs N. of Q. de las Casas, rare; more common in the canyon (no. 464); Q. 

 del Blindado, in the forest, 440 m; Q. de las Vacas, in the gorge; Q. Loberia, 

 at the stream and in the forest, c. 290 m. 



This species cannot be united with P. comans Forst., but it is undoubtedly 

 closely related to P. Endlicheriana Ag. from Norfolk Island, with which the 

 older P. Zahlbruckneriana Endl. is probably identical. We know this species 

 from Hooker's Icon. Plant, tab. 973 only, and the specimens from Juan Fer- 

 nandez are different in habit. The venation is as described by Agardh; above 

 the row of regular costal areoles the veins are free or form an irregular second 

 row of smaller areoles, while, in P. Endliclieviana, there are four rows of areoles. 

 The ultimate segments are also different in shape, longer and more lanceolate 

 in P. Berteroana. In any case, this belongs to the Polynesian element in 

 the flora. 



Area of distribution: Endemic. 



Histiopteris (Ag.) J. Sm. 



40. H. incisa (Thbg) J. Sm. Hist. Fil. 295; C. Chr. Ind. 352. -- Syn. 

 Pteris incisa Thbg 1800; Hemsl. 70; Johow 1893: 24 (pro parte, non f. 6), 1896: 

 156 pro parte?; P. flavescens Colla 1836: 37 tab. 6j; P. patens Kze Anal. 28 

 (1837); Litobrochia patens Gay 6: 490; P. vespertilionis Lab. var. flavescens Ag. 

 Rec. 80; H. incisa var. flavescens C. Chr. Arkiv for Bot. 10: 14 (1910); P. chi- 

 lensis Johow 1893: 24 f. 7, 1896: 156 (excl. syn.). 



A characteristic fern of the open forests and clearings, also occurring in 

 the barren tracts and forming extensive mats in burnt places. (Fertile Jan.— 

 April.) 



Masatierra: Ridge between the Laura and Piedra valleys, 500—600 m, 

 along the edge of the forest; Pangal, in the dry outer sections of the gorges; 

 clearing near Plazoleta del Yunque, copious; V. Colonial, lower slopes, in the 

 small ravines (nos. 187, 583); O. del Monte Maderugo (no. 333); Caves nos. I 

 and X; Villagra, along the road from Portezuelo, very numerous in cleared 

 spaces; S. slope of Co Chumacera; B. Chupones, rocky places, ravines, scarce. 



Masafuera: Q. del Mono, c. 475 m (no. 519); Q. del Blindado, 440 m; 

 Q. Loberia, near the stream, c. 190 m; highlands north of Q. Casas, seaward 



