Hymenophyllum.] CLVI. FILIOES. 1947 



narrow or broadly lanceolate in outline ; sometimes the apex is much elongated, 

 3 to 5in. long including the slender stipes, which is generally less than an inch 

 long ; the rhaohis is very narrowly winged but not the stipes, bipinnate, the lower 

 pinnules often somewhat flabelliform and more or less deeply divided, the upper 

 pinnsB of from few to a single lobe, all linear, obtuse, with entire edges. Sori 

 supra-axillary, deeply sunk on one or more of the lobes. Indusium oblong, 

 IJ line long, the valves entire, obtuse, receptacle always protruding from 1 to 

 more than 2 lines in length. — Bail. Litho. Ferns Ql. 31. 



Hab.: Snmmit of Bellendeu-Ker. 



The outline form of this, espeoially when the pinnta and pinnules are crowded, remind one of 

 H. polyanthos of New Zealand, but it does not stain paper, and has not the fragrance of; that 

 fern, besides the difference of indusium and receptacle, which latter gives to this species 

 the appearance of a Trichomanes. Indeed it might be placed in either Trichomanes or Hymeno- 

 phylhim ; I place it in the latter because the whole of the exserted portion of the indusium 

 consists of the 2 long obtuse lobes. 



14. CYATHEA, Sm. 



(Indusium cup-like.) 



Trees, with large twice or thrice pinnate or in species not Australian 

 simple fronds, the transverse veinlets of the pinnules or segments forked or 

 divided, bearing a sorus on one of their branches, the sori arranged in a single 

 row on each side of the midrib. Sori globular, enclosed when young in a 

 membranous indusium which after bursting leaves a cup or complete ring under 

 the sorus. Spore-cases numerous, sessile or nearly so on a shortly raised 

 receptacle, each with a vertical or oblong ring. 



A large tropical or subtropical genus common to the New and the Old World. 

 Fruiting pinnules entire or slightly crenate-serrate. Sori in parallel lines 



on each side of the midrib. 

 Indusium large and long-persistfent, enveloping the spore cases. 



Rhaohis and pinnules glabrous or nearly so .... 1. C. Lindsayana. 



Ehachis and under surface of the pinnules cottony or woolly .... 2. C. arachnoidea. 



1. C. Lindsayana (of Mount Lindsay), Hook. Syn. b'ilic. 25 ; Benth. Fl. 

 Amtr. vii. 708. Trunk 10 to 12ft. high, 12in. in circumference. Ehachis of 

 the fronds quite glabrous. Secondary pinnse 3 to 4in. long. The lower pinnules 

 about '^in. long and 2 lines broad, the upper ones short and confluent, mem- 

 branous, glabrous or with a few scaly hairs on the midrib, serrulate but not 

 lobed. Sori in a double row very near the midrib and distant from the margin. 

 Indusium long-persistent, opening irregularly at the apex. 



Hab.: Mount Lindsay, W. Hill. ^ 



2. C. arachnoidea (spider-web like). Book. Syn. Filic. 24 ; Benth. Fl. 

 Austr. vii. 708. Trunk attaining 15 to 20ft. Ehachis of the fronds muricate 

 and covered as well as the under side of the segments with a close whitish or 

 ferruginous tomentum. Secondary pinnae 8 to 5in. long. Pinnules or segments 

 narrow, coriaceous, the lower ones 4 to 6 lines long and distinct, the upper ones 

 smaller and confluent, somewhat coriaceous, the fertile portion with recurved 

 erenulate margins. Sori in a single row on each side of the midrib but occupying 

 nearly the whole breadth. Indusia persistent, globular, bursting irregularly at 

 the apex. — P. v. M. Fragm. vi. 200. 



Hab.: Rookingham Bay, Dallachy. Also in the Moluccas. 



Dallachy's specimens are not in fruit, but are otherwise precisely similar to the Molucca ones 

 from which the above character is taken. — Benth. 

 I have never seen plants or specimens of any Queensland species of this genus. 



