ii8 DESCRIPTIONS OF N.Z. FERNS. 



ASPLENIUM CAUDATUM. (As-ple-ne-um cau-da-tum.) 

 This fern in its typical form occurs in the Kermadec Islands, and is, therefore, 

 usually included in the lists of New Zealand ferns. I should not, however, have 

 mentioned it, but for a doubt whether some of our forms of what is called Asplenium 

 falcatum do not properly belong to it. It is mentioned in the Synopsis as very 

 doubtfully distinft from A. falcatum, and Mr. Cheeseman, who gathered it at the 

 Kermadecs says, at page 177, Volume XX, of the Philosophical Transaftions, that it 

 is " hardly separable from A. falcatum as a species." Both apparently grow together 

 everywhere but in New Zealand, and it is said in the Synopsis that " the best 

 characteristic of A. caudatum is that the sori are much confined to the centre of the 

 pinnae, being often restricted to two parallel rows close to the midrib," a distinction of 

 so trifling a character as hardly to attract notice. I think it quite likely that the 

 same peculiarity may be found in our tailed forms of A. falcatum, and, therefore, note 

 it in order that colleftors may look out for it, as otherwise they would probably 

 hardly notice it. 



ASPLENIUM OBTUSATUM. (As-ple-ne-um ob-tu-sa-tum.) 



MAORI NAME " PARETAO." 

 PLATE XXIII., No. 3. 

 This fern, in one form or another, is found in South America, the Southern 

 Polynesian Islands, and Australia, as well as in New Zealand and the Chatham and 

 Auckland Islands, but I have no means of knowing which of its many varieties occurs 

 in each place. It is very common in New Zealand, but does not extend far inland, or 

 to any high level. The following, which is its typical form, only occurs on rocky soils 

 close to the sea, and rarely, if ever, exceeds two feet high. Rhizome stout, scaly, 

 branching, and slowly creeping, and thus producing separate crowns, or rather tufts, 

 of only a few fronds each. Stipes long, stout, ereft, dark brown or gray on under 

 side, and scaly at base, but bright green and smooth above. Rachis also brown or 

 gray below, bright green above, smooth and winged. Frond pinnate, oblong, or 

 sometimes slightly narrowed below. Pinnae shortly stalked, but with narrow wings 

 extending down the stalks, set nearly at right angles to rachis, and lower ones often 

 deflexed, broadly oblong, rounded or obtusely-pointed at the tips ; bright glossy green, 

 and very thick in texture. Edges toothed ; veins prominent on upper surface. Sori 

 arranged in many parallel lines, set obliquely to the costa, and extending nearly to 

 the edges. Involucres membranous, white, and very prominent. 



VAR. OBLIQUUM. (ob-li-quum.) 



Like the last in every respeft except that the pinnae are much narrower, taper 

 throughout to sharp points, and are set so as to point very obliquely upwards. Grows 

 in similar situations, but usually in more sheltered ones. 



