T. Kmx.—On the Ferns of Stewart Island. 299 
8. The excessive amount of variation exhibited by certain species, as 
Asplenium bulbiferum, A. obtusatwn, ete., which is much greater than in any 
other part of New Zealand. 
` 4. The occurrence of certain species of a northern type, as Lindsaa 
linearis, Trichomanes lyallii. 
I purpose drawing attention to these features at greater length in the 
notes appended to the following enumeration of the ferns and allied plants 
observed on the island. 
Gleichenia circinata, Swartz. Not uncommon on the margins of swampy 
forests. 
G. dicarpa, Br. Abundant in woods. Stipes slender, wiry, sometimes 18" 
high, with from six to nine series of branches. 
B. alpina. Common in open moory places 1'—4" high, often reduced 
to a single pair of branches. Passes gradually into the typical . 
form.  Ascends to 9,000 feet. 
G. cunninghamii, Heward. Woods and sheltered places by streams; not 
common; and never exhibiting the extreme luxuriance of northern 
specimens. 
Cyathea medullaris, Swartz. Port William and Halfmoon Bay; rare and 
local. Does not attain large dimensions. The occurrence of this 
species so far south is quite unexpected. 
Hemitelia smithii, Hook. In forests throughout the island; sometimes 
attaining the height of 25’. Two principal forms may be distinguished : 
a. Segments broad, teeth acute, few. b. Segments longer, with obtuse 
teeth ; much more elegant than a. The young fronds and the pith of 
the stem were formerly used by the Maoris as food, and are still 
collected for cattle. Ascends to nearly 1,000 feet on Ruggedy. 
Alsophila colensoi, Hook. f. Two specimens observed in a deep wooded 
gully on Mount Anglem. Alt. 1,500 feet. 
Dicksonia squarrosa, Swartz. Throughout the island, abundant. Often 
forming groves covering many acres under large trees. Branch 
specimens are occasionally seen, and in many places the stem 
is completely hidden by crowus of short fronds, given off direct from the 
stem in such a way as at first sight to suggest the idea of the stem 
being covered with an epiphytal growth of young plants. It is, how- .— 
ever, easy to prove their organic connection with the stem. One of the — 
most characteristic plants of the island, occurring in all nd 
situations except open swamps. T 
Hymenophyllum armstrongii, T, Kirk. Rare. At the base of shrubs, ete., 
Peaks of Ruggedy. 
H. tunbridgense, 8m. In forests and rocky places. Common, 
