Aspidimn\ I. — filices. 79 



vestitum, Presl. ; besides a host of other synonyms which have been 

 ^iven to varying forms in many parts of the world. To this also 

 must be referred Polypodium sylvaticum, CoL, described in the 

 " Handbook Fl. N.Z.," page 350, and which in " Syn. Filicum" is 

 included as a non-involucrate form. 



Distribution. — Throughout the world; rare in the Arctic regions 

 and Eastern N. America. Common throughout New Zealand, 

 though in the N. Island chiefly in hUly and mountainous parts. 

 There is considerable diversity as to the scaliness of the stipes and 

 rachis even in our forms, and the typical European form differs a 

 good deal from them in several respects ; but innumerable intermediate 

 gradations connect all the forms, and render specific separation 

 impossible. 



Though extremely common, this is a very handsome fern, and 

 grows very readily under cultivation. It should be in every 

 fernery. 



2. A. richardi, Hook 



Rhizome short, stout, scaly. Stipes 6-12 in. long, rather stout, 

 erect, clothed throughout — as is the rachis — with scattered, narrow, 

 subulate, black scales. Fronds tufted, 6-18 in long, 4-9 in. broad, 

 broadly ovate or deltoid, very coriaceous, dark-green above, glabrous 

 or woolly and scaly below ; pinnae numerous, close, lanceolate, 

 acuminate, deeply pinnatifid, or cut quite to the rachis into distinct 

 lanceolate pinnules, which are themselves sharply toothed or pinnatifid, 

 teeth often pungent. Sori in about 2 rows midway between the 

 midrib and the edge ; mvolucre flat, "^h a^maU black disk. 



Synonym. — Polystichum aristatum, HooK/f. ^ 



Distribution. — Fiji. An abundant species throughout New Zea- ^ 

 land ; often found in rather open woods, but particularly partial to 

 the sea coast. It is a very hardy fern. 



3. A. oculatum, Hooh. 



Stipes 1 ft. long, firm, straw-coloured, clothed throughout with 

 large, dark-brown, rigid, subulate scales, which are continued along 

 the rachis and mixed with lax woolly hairs. Fronds tufted, coriaceous, 

 10-20 in. long, ovate-oblong or deltoid, acuminate, 3-pinnate, cori- 

 aceous ; pinnse numerous, 2-4 in. long, narrow ovate-lanceolate ; 

 pinnules alternate, lanceolate, cut nearly to the rachis into oblong- 

 rhomboidal segments ; the whole under-surface of the frond downy. 

 . Sori abundant, in 2 rows near the midrib ; involucre orbicular, with 

 a large black disk and narrow reddish margin. 



This little-known fern is recorded from Akaroa and Nelson in the 

 ; South Island, and the Wairarapa Valley in the North Island. 



// 



4. A. cystostegia, Hooh. A ^;vz^*^i^P^-u^ 



Rhizome short, small. Stipes 2-4 in. long, stout, brown, shining, 

 ■ clothed with numerous lanceolate, pale-brown, membranous scales 



