Corzx80.— Descriptions of new Indigenous Plants. 257 
relationship between this fern (H. lophocarpum) and H. protrusum, Hook. ; 
which species Baker has more recently (in his “ Synopsis") united with H. 
polyanthos. While from H. polyanthos and H. polyanthos, B. minor (Bedd. 
Ferns Brit. India, tt. 280 and 806), H. blumeanwm, pyenocarpum, and in- 
tegrum, (Van den Bosch, Hymen. Java, tt. 36, 87, 88), which ferns Clarke 
unites with H. polyanthos, as being one species (?) and not even sub-varieties, 
—this fern of mine disagrees still more strongly. Of H. sanguinolentum I 
might say the same; but seeing it is not now recognized as a distinct 
species or variety by modern authorities, and omitted altogether by Baker 
from his ** Synopsis;" while Swartz himself observed of it, that it was very 
near to his H. clavatum (another Jamaica fern), differing only in form and 
eolour,—and both of these ferns were long ago included by Sir W. J. 
Hooker, in his **Sp. Filieum," as forming but one species with H. 
polyanthos—I have no need to remark especially upon it. 
In fine: this species (H. lophocarpum) differs from H. polyanthos and its 
several synonymous allies (supra), in outline, in appearance, in colour, in 
substance both of stem and lamina of frond, in shape of segments and 
lobes, in position form and appendages of involucre, in the receptacle and 
sporangia, and in its peculiar hairs. In its fresh natural and perfect state, 
it is one of the very handsome New Zealand species of this lovely genus of 
ferns. I have thus written largely on it, after a prolonged and patient 
investigation, for the sake of future working botanists. 
Genus 22. Polypodium, Linn. 
1. Polypodium rupestre, Br., var. sinuatum, Col. 
Rhizome long, rather stout, creeping, branched, climbing trees, scaly ; 
scales ovate-acuminate, light brown, fixed by centre. Fronds scattered but 
not distant, erect, of 2 or more forms tapering into long and very slender 
stipes, somewhat coriaceous, margins recurved, veins largely anastomosing 
and visible between eye and the light, densely covered with white stellate 
hairs; hairs 10-11-rayed with brown centres, giving the plant a finely 
spotted appearance; barren fronds 4-54 inches long, 1-1} inches wide, 
rhomboid- and oblong-lanceolate, coarsely sinuate, almost crenate ; fertile 
8-8% inches long, 8 lines wide, broadly lanceolate, margins sinuate, tips "S 
Sub-acute; stipes of both barren and fertile fronds 2 inches long, with à — 
thick cluster of imbricated scales at bases; base-scales ovate-acuminate, 
minutely tuberculate. Sori rather small, often oblong, and distant. 
Hab. On living trees, woods, Seventy-mile Bush, between Matamau 
and Danneverke, County of Waipawa; 1888-84 (also in woods, East 
Coast) : W.C. 
Obs. A very fine and striking variety (as I take it) of the well-known 
and common Polypodium rupestre; it is not only a much larger plant than 
17 h 
