50 CARL CHRISTENSEN AND CARL SKOTTSBERG 



Dryopteris Adans. 



4. D. Espinosai Hicken, Bol. 135, tab. XXVII, Rev. 94, tab. 9. — Fig. 3. 



Hab. Only found in the crater of Rano Aroi, c. 420 m, between large 

 boulders (no. 690). — Fertile. 



This species, recently described and figured by HlCKEN after specimens 

 collected by FUENTES, is a very remarkable one, belonging to the subgenus 

 Eudryopteris which is very weakly represented in Central Polynesia but rather 

 rich in species in the Hawaiian Islands. D. Espinosai, however, differs greatly 

 from all Polynesian and Asiatic species of that subgenus known to us, while, 

 on the other hand, it is closely related to a group of Tropical American spe- 

 cies [D. patula, cinnamomea and mexicana). In most features it agres very 

 well with D. mexicana (Pr.) C. Chr. (syn. Aspidium flaccidum), being, however, 

 much larger, and with certain forms of the Brazilian D. patula (Sw.) Underw. 

 It differs from these especially in the glandulose-ciliate basal scales and in the 

 very glandulose lamina. As the original description was published in two perio- 

 dicals rather rare in Europe, a full description is given below. 



Rhizomate obliquo cum parte basali stipitum paleis lutescentibus vel pallide 

 rubro-brunneis tenuissimis, lanceolatis, apice longe filiformibus, marginibus glan- 

 dulosis, dense obtecto. Stipitibus fasciculatis, stramineis, ad 15 cm longis. 

 Lamina textura tenuissima, laete virescente, ubique dense glandulosa, deltoidea 

 — ovata vel ovato-lanceolata, circiter 20 cm longa, maxima 20 cm. lata, tri- 

 quadripinnatifida. Pinnis saepe fere oppositis, distantibus, ovatis vel ovato- 

 lanceolatis, maximis 10 cm longis, breve stipitatis, acuminatis vel subobtusis, 

 infimis parum inaequilateralibus, latere basiscopico vix aucto. Pinnulis secundi 

 ordinis inferioribus liberis, superioribus decurrenti-confluentibus, fere ad basin 

 pinnatifidis, segmentis tertiariis decurrentibus, integris, crenato dentatis vel 

 maximis subpinnatifidis. Venis medianis basi decurrentibus, ultimis indivisis 

 vel interdum furcatis. Soris majusculis, saepe uno pro lobo ultimo, nervo 

 mediano approximatis. Indusiis reniformibus, subpersistentibus. 



Area of distribution: Endemic. 



*5. D. gongy lodes (Schkuhr) OK. 



Hab. Rano Aroi, c. 400 m, edge of the crater lake with Polygonum 

 acuminatum, very scarce; Rano Kao, bottom of crater, c. 1 10 m, in the Scir- 

 petum, and among the large boulders a little higher up (no. 678). — Fertile. — 

 Not recorded before. 



Area of distribution: Pantropical. 



6. D. parasitica (L.) OK. — Fuentes, Bol. 327. 



Hab. Crater of Rano Aroi, c. 420 m, and also crater of Rano Kao, c. 

 125 m (no. 666), among boulders. — Fertile. 



This is taken in a wide sense; probably D. parasitica includes several 

 distinct species. 



Area of distribution: Tropical and subtropical regions. 



7. Elaphoglossum tahitense Brack. - - Syn. E. Gayanum, Hicken Bol. 

 137, Rev. 96. uon Moore. — Fig. 2. 



Hab. Fissures in the rocks in Rano Aroi, c. 420 m (no. 691). — Fertile. 



