DESCRIPTIONS OF N.Z. FERNS. i33 



bush. There are two forms of it. The general form has widely-creeping, stout, scaly 

 rhizomes, sending up numerous fronds about eighteen inches high. Stipes long, stout 

 ere£l, dark-coloured, and thickly covered with dark bristly hairs. Rachis and costae 

 similarly hairy; the latter winged. Frond triangular, bi or tri-pinnate. Pinnules 

 sessile above, stalked below, oval or lanceolate, and deeply cut into long, narrow, 

 pointed lobes, inclining much upwards. Colour glossy dark olive-green, slightly 

 variegated ; texture coriaceous. Sori numerous and near to edges. Involucres white, 

 membranous, kidney-shaped and distinct. 



The other form is a larger and much less hairy plant, often three feet high, 

 and creeps very little ; in faft, for several years it remains merely a tufted plant ; and 

 even when the creeping rhizomes form, they take a long time to outgrow a 

 twelve-inch pot, and meanwhile send up many fronds. Both forms are easily cultivated, 

 provided the plants are procured young, and planted in sandy soil and leaf-mould, but 

 they need shade and a moist atmosphere 



SUB-GENUS EUNEPHRODIUM (Yu-nef-ro-de-um), 

 Has the lower veinlets of contiguous groups united. It includes 



NEPHRODIUM MOLLE (Nef-ro-de-um mol-le), 



PLATE XXIII., No. 5, 

 Which is said to be common in the tropical parts of Africa, Asia, and America, as 

 well as in Australia. In New Zealand it only occurs, for certain, in the volcanic districts, 

 though it was reported from Whangarei by Mr. Mair, My plants came from Tokano, 

 at the south end of Taupo Lake, and I have seen specimens from near Tapuaeharuru. 

 Mr. Thompson mentions the banks of the boiling river " Otumakokori," at the foot 

 of the Paeroa Range as another site, and it was said also to grow at Rotomahana 

 but if so, must have been destroyed by the volcanic eruption of June loth, 1886. It 

 is also called " Polypodium molle," " Aspidium moUe," " A. nymphale," and other 

 names. It grows well in a greenhouse and even indoors in the North Island, but 

 would probably need more protection from the winter cold farther south. It likes 

 sandy soil, with plenty of moisture to the root, is not particular about much shade, and 

 is often three feet high. 



It has creeping rhizomes sending up clusters of few fronds at short intervals. 

 Stipes long, only moderately stout, yellow or green, and woolly, particularly when 

 young. Rachis also green and woolly. Fronds oblong or lanceolate, pinnate, the 

 lowest pinnae being usually deflexed. Texture very softly herbaceous and downy, 

 (whence the name, which means " soft ") ; colour bright yellowish green. Pinnae stalked 

 long-lanceolate, opposite, and cut moderately deeply into rounded or sub-falcate lobes. 

 Sori small, in one or two rows between costa and margin. Involucres small, white, 

 membranous, and soon hidden by the capsules. I lately saw a plant of this fern, in 



