38 I. — FiLiCES. [Hymenophyllum 



Nearly allied to H. bivalve, but distinguished by the shape of the- 

 involucre, the frond being usually narrower at the base, the sori 

 fewer, and the usually exserted receptacle. 



Synonyms. — H. feejeense, Brack. ; Trichomanes multifidum,, 

 Forst. 



Distribution. — Islands of the Pacific; Auckland Islands; Camp- 

 bell Islands. 



A common and widely-ranging species, occurring throughout the- 

 N. and S. Islands up to 3,000 ft., and also abundantly in Stewart 

 Island. 



6. H. rarum, Br. 



A very delicate pendulous species, forming matted tufts on stems 

 of trees and rocks. Stipes 1-3 in. long, extremely slender. Frond 

 2-6 in. long, 1-2 in. broad, oblong or linear-oblong, 2-pinnatifid, 

 flaccid, pale-green and glistening ; main rachis winged throughout ; 

 pinnse simple and linear, or forked or pinnatifid ; segments short, 

 broad, flat, margins not toothed. Sori large, terminal on the 

 segments of the upper pinnse and sunk in their extremities ; 

 involucre ovate or rounded, valves divided half-way down or more,. 

 lips broad, entire. 



Synonyms. — H. semi-bivalve. Hook, and Grev. ; H. fumarioides, 

 Bory. ; H. imbricatum, Col. ; H. natalense and tabulare, V. den 

 Bosch. 



Distribution. — Auckland Islands, Tasmania, Mauritius, and S. 

 Africa. Apparently also in Chiloe, Fuegia and Japan. 



H. 'imbricatum of Colenso is a variety with a very shoi-t rachis,. 

 not more than 1 in. long, and imbricated, slightly crisped pinnse. 



This species ranges from the extreme N. of Auckland peninsula 

 to Otago, and is tolerably abundant. In the Thames district it 

 ascends to 2,500 ft. 



This fern is rather difiicult to cultivate, as it is usually found on 

 tree-fern and other stems, its rhizomes creeping along under the bark 

 or among the matted fibres ; in transplanting, therefore, it is almost 

 necessary to bring its support away with it. 



7. H. polyanthos, Swartz. 



A matted species with rather stout rhizome. Stipes 2-3 in. long,, 

 slender, glabrous or bristly ; wing narrow or O. Fronds 2-8 in. 

 long, 1-3 in. broad, broadly-ovate or oblong, rather opaque and 

 reddish, 2- or 3-pinnatifid ; main rachis usually broadly winged ;. 

 segments linear, fiat or wavy, ultimate short, quite entire. Sori 

 numerous, terminal or axillary on the segments, free ; involucres 

 orbicular or ovate, broader than the segments, 2-valved to the base, 

 valves entire or denticulate. 



Synonyms. — H. protrusum. Hook. ; H. sanguinolentum, Swartz^ 



