26 I. — FiLiCES. [Gleichenia 



Capsules about 2, concealed within the lobes, and mixed with brown, 

 paleaceous hairs. 



Var. B. alpina. Smaller and more tufted ; usually more densely 

 pubescent. 



Synonyms. — G. alpina, Br.; G. vulcanica, Blume ; G. hecisto- 

 phylla, A. Gvmn. (In the " Handbook to the N.Z. Fl." this var. is 

 referred to G. circinata.) 



(, Distribution. — Mountainous parts of Australia and Tasmania, 

 New Caledonia, and some islands of the Malay Archipelago. 



In N.Z. the range of this species is more restricted than the 

 former, as it does not seem to have been collected N. of Auckland- 

 It is tolerably common on the high lands surrounding L. Taupo, 

 and from Hawke's Bay across to Taranaki, as well as at the Hot 

 Spring district in the N., and throughout the Wellington Provincial 

 district. In the S. Island both forms occur from Cook Straits 

 to Stewart Island, but always locally. Also on the Chatham 

 Islands. 



Rather easier to cultivate than G. circinata ; thriving best in well- 

 drained vegetable mould. 



3. G. flabellata, Br. (Pi. I. fig. la.) A-^ /^^(^ 



Fronds usually 1-3 ft. high, but reaching 5-7 ft. in favoured^ 

 localities, generally quite glabrous, membranous, very proliferous. 

 Branches ascending, dichotomous, fan-like; pinnae 4-12 in. long, 

 often pinnatifid above, lanceolate, 1-3 in. broad ; segments 1-2 in. 

 long, inclined, narrow-linear, serrulate on the margins, green on both 

 surfaces. Capsules about 3, exposed. 



Distribution.— "N. and S. Australia, Tasmania, and New Cale- 

 donia. 



This graceful fern ranges in N.Z. from the North Cape to the 

 Hauraki Gulf, Great Barrier Island being the most southerly 

 habitat yet recorded. According to Mr. 0. French (" Southern 

 Naturalist," vol. i. p. 4) it is easily removed and transported to a 

 distance without much risk, and is easily cultivated, requiring black 

 sandy loam, good drainage, plenty of pot room, and abundance of 

 water. Probably in the S. portion of our island it would require 

 housing during the winter months. In Kew Gardens a plant of 

 this species has attained a circumference of 12-13 ft., with fronds 

 4| ft. high. ' 



4. G. CUnninghamii, Seward. (The wmbrella-fem.) 



Rhizome stout, creeping. Fronds erect, 1-2 ft. high, often pro- > 

 liferous, coriaceous ; stipes, costa and rachis hairy and scaly beneath. 

 Branches curving or spreading, dichotomous, fan-like; pinnae 6-12 in. 

 long, usually pinnatifid above, linear, often falcate, acuminate, ^-1 



