CHRISTENSEN, ON SOME SPECIES OF FERNS. 15 
Polypodium Billardierii (Wirrp.) C. Chr. Index 513. 1906. 
Syn. P. australe (R. Br.) Mett. et auctt.! 
var. magellanieum (Dzsv.) 
Syn. Grammitis magellanica Desv. Berl. Mag. 5: 313. 1811. 
From typical P. Billardierii from Australia and New 
Zealand this variety differs by 1) the very short stipe 
(generally none), 2) the decurrent base of the lamina being 
glabrous, and 3) the venation. In the type the fertile 
upper branch of the forked vein is short, not continued 
beyond the sorus and almost parallel to the costa; in the 
variety it is equal in length to the lower sterile branch and 
more oblique. Otherwise the variety agrees with the type, 
and I therefore prefer to consider the American form not 
being specifically distinct from P. Billardierü. 
Patagonia oec. Otway, Puerto Toro, nr. 211. 
subvar. nanum (Brack.) Franch. Miss. sci. Cap. Horn 
5: Dot. 397. 
Syn. Grammitis nana Brack. U.S. Expl. Exp. 16: 1. 1854. 
Leaves densely caespitose, very small, 2—2!/; cm. long, 
spathulate, without stem, with 2—3 thick sori near the apex; 
texture thick, fleshy. 
A remarkable form, which probably is only a alpine 
form of var. magellanicum, from which it differs mainly by 
its small size; yet the rhizome is more distinctly creeping 
and the spores larger. 
Tierra del Fuego: Cami, alpine region, March 1908. 
While comparing the specimens coliected by Dr. SKOTTS- 
BERG with other specimens from America I found some 
plants from West-Patagonia, which in size and general habit 
are fully like P. Billardierii, but in other respects are so 
different that I consider them specifically distinct and belon- 
ging to an indescribed species, which I name 
Polypodium (Grammitis) patagonicum sp. nov. 
squamis parvis ovato-acuminatis, sordide brunneis, vestito. 
Rhizomate repente, tenui, 1—1'/, mm. crasso, apice 
! In using the specific name Billardierii instead of australe I am in 
accordance with the use generally followed by preferring WiQLLDENOW'S 
specific names to R. Brown’s. 
