T. Kirk. — On the Ferns of Stewart Island. 229 



3. The excessive amount of variation exhibited by certain species, as 

 Asplenium bulbiferwm, A. obtusatum, etc., which is much greater than in any 

 other part of New Zealand. 



4. The occurrence of certain species of a northern type, as Lindscea 

 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. 

 (3. alpina. Common in open moory places l'-4" high, often reduced 

 to a single pair of branches. Passes gradually into the typical 

 form. Ascends to 3,000 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 Buggedy. 



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. Branched 

 specimens are occasionally seen, and in many places the stem 

 is completely hidden by crowns 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 lowland 

 situations except open swamps. 



Hymenophyllum armstrongii, T. Kirk. Bare. At the base of shrubs, etc.} 

 Peaks of Buggedy. 



H. tunbridgense, Sm. In forests and rocky places. Common, 



