JDoodia] I.. — -filices. 71 



frequently elongated and entire. Sori oblong, usually in a single 

 row on each side of the midrib, sometimes quite confluent. -^ 



Var. 1. media (proper). — Fronds erect, pinnate only in the lower' 

 half or two-thirds, coriaceous ; pinnse 1-2 in. long. -^ 



Var. 2. connexa (D. connexa, Kunze). — Fronds 1-2 ft. high, rather 

 membranous, pinnate in the lower half or two-thirds ; pinnse 3-6 in.^ 

 long. 



Var. 3. caudata (D. caudata, R. Br.). — Fronds more or less prostrate ' 

 or decurved, rather flaccid, pinnate nearly to the apex ; pinnse |-1 in. , 

 long. Fertile fronds longer, narrower and usually piqre upright than , 

 the sterile. ^^^.i^.^-^l^X ^--^^^-^^ -^ a.p^^^^ ^ 



Considerable difference of opinion prevails among botanists as ta 

 the value of the characters which separate the above forms. In th& 

 " Synopsis FUicum," the first and third are treated as distinct, but 

 closely allied species, with the second as a variety of B. media. In 

 Bentham's " Flora Australiensis," D. caudata is described, and its- 

 variety media; while in the "Handbook to the N.Z. Flora," all 

 three are treated as distinct species. 



Synonyms. — D. kunthiana, Gaudichaud ; D. rupestris, Kaulfuss ; 

 Woodwardia caudata, Gav.; Woodwardia media. Fee ; &c. 



Distribution. — Australia, Tasmania, and many of the Pacifia 

 Islands. 



In New Zealand this species is confined to the North Island, the 

 typical variety being common throughout the northern portion from 

 N. Cape to Poverty Bay ; it is, however, found throughout the 

 island. It is a hardy fern, growing often with great vigour on poor, 

 dry soil, and is to be chiefly found on open, hilly ground. Var. 

 connexa is much more local in its occurrence, but is to be met with 

 from Tauranga northwards, and on several of the islands in Hauraki 

 Gulf. Var. caudata is tolerably common throughout the island ; a 

 somewhat fragrant form of it, with more or less falcate pinnse, occurs 

 in the Wellington and Wairarapa districts. 



All the varieties are easUy grown, but in the southern portions of 

 the colony require some protection. They can bear the sun and 

 drought very well, when thoroughly established, and therefore 

 only require to be guarded against severe frost. 



Genus XIX.— ASPLENIUM,* L. (PI. III. figs. 1 and 2, and 



frontispiece.) 



Ehizome usually short and thick. Fronds tufted, pinnate, or 

 2- to 4-pinnate. Sori linear or rarely oblong, on veins proceeding- 

 obliquely from the midrib, usually distant from the margin. In- 

 volucres membranous, similaj in foi-m to the sori, attached along one 

 side to the vein, and opening along the other towards the midrib. 



* 6r. a, privative, splen, the spleen ; reputed to have medicinal action on 

 the spleen, and hence called Spleenworts. ' 



