88 I. — FiLiCES. [Polypodium 



Synonyms. — Grammitis australis, R. Br. , G. billardieri, Willd. ; 

 G. ciliatum, Col. ; G. rigida and G. humilis, Homb. et Jacq. ; Poly- 

 podium diminutum, Baker. 



Distribution. — Southern extremity of America and adjoining 

 islands, Tristan d'Acunha, Australia, New Caledonia. 



Very common in New Zealand from N. Cape to Stewart Island, 

 usually occurring on tree trunks, rocks, &c. This is a somewhat 

 difficult fern to cultivate, but well-rooted plants — if gathered with 

 portions of the wood or bark to which they are attached in their 

 native habitats — may be very effectively grown in baskets or wire 

 cylinders filled with peat ; or they may be planted in shallow pans 

 filled with loose peaty soil, and kept rather moist. 



4, P. grammitidis, R. Br. 



Rhizome very short, scaly. Stipes 1-2 in. long, slightly winged. 

 Fronds tufted, 4-12 in. long, coriaceous, glabrous, linear-oblong or 

 lanceolate, pinnatifid to the rachis, almost pinnate ; pinnse ^-2 in. 

 long, the longest in the middle of the frond, linear, entire or pin- 

 natifid, decurrent at the base ; veins sunk in the frond, simple or 

 forked. Sori oblong, numerous, usually 1 to each lobe. 



Synonyms. — Grammitis heterophylla, Lahill. ; Xiphopteris heter- 

 ophylla, S^yreng. ; Ctenopteris grammitidis. 



Distribution. — Tasmania and Victoria. Also found in the Chatham 

 Islands. 



A common fern in New Zealand woods, where it grows on the 

 trunks of trees. It ranges from N. Cape to Stewart Island, and 

 ascends to over 3,000 ft. in both islands. It is often very variable 

 in form, the fronds being sometimes only l obed below and toothed 

 above, while others occur distinctly bipinnatifid. The mode of 

 cultivation recommended for the preceding species is applicable for 

 this also, though it grows more readily under pot culture in the 

 moist atmosphere of a fern-house. 



5. P. tenellum, Forst. 



Rhizome long, slender, woody, scaly when young, climbing high 

 trees. Stipes 2-3 in. long, slender, smooth and polished, jointed 

 near the base. Fronds scattered, pendulou.s, 1-2 ft. or more long, 

 lanceolate, pinnate, membranous and bright-green ; pinnse alternate, 

 distant, 2-3 in. long, linear-lanceolate, entire or sinuate, unequal at 

 the base ; veins 2-3, forked, one fork bearing the sorus, the other 

 again forked. Sori orbicular, small, forming a row near the margin. 



Synonyms. — Arthropteris tenella, J. Sm.; Polypodium filipes, 

 Moore. 



Distribution. — Australia and New Caledonia. 

 In New Zealand it is almost confined to the North Island, where 

 it is plentiful in the woods. The only locality in the South Island 



