132 DESCmPTIONS OF N Z. PERNS. ' 



slender but stiff, reddish brown, scaly at base but smooth above. The stipites of the 

 lower fronds generally start out horizontally from the rhizome, ~and then turn upwards. 

 This no doubt gave rise to the idea that they sprang from slightly creeping rhizomes. 

 Rachis smooth and narrowly winged. Frond similar in form to that of N. 

 decompositum, but narrower, and with the whole foliage more sessile, the costje of the 

 pinnae being winged throughout. Texture more coriaceous : colour dark olive-green. 

 Sori half-way between costaand margin of pinnules. Involucres white, membranous, 

 and very distinctly kidney-shaped. It is also called " N. decompositum var. 

 pubescens," " N. decompositum var. microphyllum," " Lastreadavallioides," " Lastrea 

 glabella," and " Aspidium glabellum." 



NEPHRODIUM VELUTINUM. (Nef-ro-de-um vel-u-tl-num.) 



" DIRTY FERN." 

 PLATE XX., No. 2. 



This species is confined to New Zealand, and is found in forests all through the 

 Colony, though more abundant in the North Island, where it often grows over three 

 feet high. It only grows on hill sides or other dry situations, and usually in light 

 bush, and is more local than the other sorts. I think, too, it is confined to lower 

 levels, as I never remember seeing it more than 800 feet or so above sea-level. It 

 is also called " Lastrea velutina," and " Aspidium velutinum." 



It has a stout ereft rhizome, sometimes rising an inch or two above ground, and 

 bearing a crown of few fronds, which at once attract notice, not only by their size, but 

 by their reddish-brown and velvety appearance. The stipes is rather long, stout, ereft, 

 scaly at base, and covered with brown down above. Rachis also brown and downy. 

 Frond very broadly rhomboidal, tri-pinnate. Lowest pinnae much widened on lower 

 side, upper ones lanceolate. Pinnules rather long, oval, large, and somewhat deeply 

 cut into rounded or pointed lobes. Texture herbaceous and covered with short down, 

 giving the whole plant a velvety appearance (whence the name) ; colour very 

 brownish-green, with a tinge of red. Sori numerous but small. Involucres hairy. It 

 is very easily cultivated, particularly if taken up when young, and planted in sandy 

 soil mixed with leaf-mould, and sheds many spores. 



NEPHRODIUM HISPIDUM. (Nef-ro-de-um his-pid-um.) 



THE " HAIRY FERN." 

 PLATE III., No. 3. 



This is the commonest of the New Zealand Nephrodia, and occurs also in 

 Victoria. It is also called " Polystichum hispidum," " Polypodium setosum," 

 " Aspidium hispidum," " Lastrea hispida," and " Aspidium setosum," though it is very 

 widely different from the Japanese plant, which bears the last name. Like the 

 preceding one, it grows on hill sides, rather than on flat ground, but occurs in heavier 



