J^ephrodium] I. — pilices, 83 



4. N. velutinum, Sook f. (Pi. IIL fig. 4.) 



Stipes 12-18 in. long, •with subulate scales at the base, covered 

 with bright-brown pubescence. Fronds 12-24 in. long, and nearly as 

 broad, deltoid, acuminate, covered with sUky, red-brown pubescence, 

 which is most abundant on the rachises ; lowest pair of pinnae often 

 1 ft. long, deltoid ; lowest pair of pinnules deflexed, much divided, 

 larger than the others, which are close, lanceolate and cut to the 

 rachis below into oblong acute, pinnatifid lobes ; segments ovate, 

 obtuse, toothed. Sori small, numerous ; involucres hairy, usually 

 filiated with glandular hairs. 



Synonyms. — Lastrea velutina, Hook.; Aspidium velutinum, A. 

 Rich. 



Distribution. — Apparently confined to New Zealand, unless a very 

 similar form from N.E. Australia and Fiji can be referred to the 

 same species. 



This is a tolerably common species throughout New Zealand, 

 though most abundant and luxuriant in the North Island. It 

 becomes rather local and limited in its occurrence in South Canter- 

 ■faury and Otago districts. 



5. N. hispidum, Hook. (PL III. figs. 4a and 6.) 



Rhizome long, stout, creeping, covered with brown scales. Stipes 

 12-18 in. long, stout, densely clothed — as are the rachises and costos 

 — with brownish-black spreading bristles. Fronds 12-18 in. long, 

 6-12 in. broad, subdeltoid, acuminate, coriaceous; pinnae 3-6 in. long, 

 lowest pair deltoid, others ovate or lanceolate acuminate ; pinnules 

 lanceolate, lowest pair the largest ; segments lanceolate, cut down to 

 a winged rachis into small oblong or linear, sharply-toothed lobes. 

 Sori numerous ; involucre flat, orbicvilar or reniform. 



Synonyms. — Polystichum hispidum, J. Sm.; Polypodium setosum, 

 Forst.; Aspidium Mspidum, Sw.; Lastrea hispida, ilfoore; Aspidium 

 !setosum, Schkuhr. 



Distribution. — Hare in Victoria. 



This is the most abundant species of the genus in New Zealand, 

 ■occurring in forests from North Cape to Stewart Island. It is also 

 one of the most easily cultivated. 



6. N. unitum, R. Br. 



Khizome stout, creeping. Stipes 12-18 in. long, brownish, glabrous 

 or slightly chafiy at the base. Fronds 1-3 ft. long, 6-8 in. broad, 

 ovate-oblong, simply pinnate, rather coriaceous, pubescent or 

 glabrous ; pinnse 3-6 in. long, \ in. broad, cut a third or half-way to 

 the midrib into spreading, triangular, acute lobes. Veins pinnate in 

 •each lobe, with 6-8 veinlets on each side, united with the veinlets of 

 .adjoining lobes into a vein leading to the sinus. Sori near the end 

 •of the veinlets, usually in a row near the margin of the lobes ; 



