CoLENSO. — On the Ferns of Scinde Island. 371 



Those several genera I will take iu the order in which they run in the 

 " Handbook " of our New Zealand flora. 



1. Cyathea. Of this fine genus of tree-ferns the beautiful new species, 

 lately described by me (C. polyneuron ),■•'• was first found in 1865, young and 

 small, growing among the common fern ( Pteris esculenta), on my laud on 

 the hill-side. I removed it into my garden, where it has thriven remarkably 

 well, although it suffered severely during those two very dry summers in 

 succession of 1878 and 1879 ; it is now 7 feet high. 



2. Adiantum hispidulum. This fern has been found growing sparingly in 

 cliffy spots on the west side of the "Island." It is rather rare in all this 

 district. 



8. Adiantum apne. This pretty little fern formerly grew densely in beds 

 on ledges of the clayey cliffs on the north side of Hyderabad road, at the 

 south end of the " Island." 



4. Cheilanthes tenuifolia. This fern I have often found in various parts 

 of the hills growing among the common fern. Also, a very large and un- 

 described variety (or a distinct species of a fern of this genus) of diffuse 

 rambling growth, of which I may have something more of say hereafter, as 

 I fortunately possess specimens. 



6. Pteris esculenta, formerly all over the " Island," in some parts attain- 

 ing to a large size, 6-7 feet high.f 



6. Pteris tremida. This elegant species also grew strongly here. I have 



still good thriving plants in my garden brought in from the adjoining hill. 



- 7. Lomaria procera — a small common variety — grew sparsely scattered in 



damp shaded spots and gulches on the hill-side ; also, a larger variety on the 



flat below. 



8. Doodia. A very fine species or variety of this genus also grew 

 sparingly here, which differed largely from the northern species. I have 

 both known and cultivated this fine fern for upwards of thirty years, having 

 in 1848 removed plants of it from this hill to my old residence at Waitangi, 

 near West Clive. Did I not believe that the various plants of Doodia found 

 at the north (where also they are very common) are aU varieties of one 

 species, I I should be incUned to consider our Scinde Island plant as form- 



* " Trans. N.Z. Inst.," Vol. XI., p. 429. 



t I know that twenty years ago, before the place was cleared of fern, my mule (a tall 

 animal) was often lost in it, and could only be detected by her big ears just peering 

 above it ! 



I In a, description of some (then) newly-discovered New Zealand ferns, published by 

 me in 1843 (in the " Tasmanian Journal of Natural Science," Vol. II., p. 162), I said: — 

 " The number of the species of New Zealand ferns published by A. Cunningham in his 

 '' Precursor " amounts to eighty-five, from which I venture to hazard an opinion at least 



