POLYPODIACE^E. (55 



Hab. Tahiti, Society Islands. Samoan and Feejee Islands : on trees. 



Eootstock short; the rootlets thick, and closely covered with brown- 

 ish pubescence. Stipe about one inch in length, or almost entirely 

 wanting. Fronds subcoriaceous, tufted, from 8 to 12 inches in length 

 and 3 to 4 inches broad, lance-oblong, and terminating in an acuminate 

 point a little over an inch in length, the base attenuated very gra- 

 dually, and decurrent on the short stipe. Costa" elevated on the under 

 side, and very evident on the lower part of the frond for more than 

 two-thirds of its length. Sori villose, immersed, forming irregular 

 and interrupted lines along the sides of the elongated angular areoles. 



This is evidently allied to the A. semicostatum of Blume. 



6. Antrophyum subfalcatum, Sp. Nov. 



A. frondibus subcoriaceis costatis lineari-lanceolatis basi angusta in sti- 

 pitem brevem attenuatis; areolis anguste linearibus; soris nudis sub- 

 immersis. 



Hab. Ovolau, Feejee Islands : on trees : rare. 



Eootstock not over an inch in length, furnished with tomentose 

 rootlets. Stipes about lh inches long. Fronds tufted, costate, sub- 

 coriaceous, 8 to 10 inches long, and 4 to 6 lines broad, linear-lanceolate, 

 subfalcate, with a rather acute point, the base tapering gradually 

 into the short stipe, of a yellowish-green tint, smooth on the under 

 and slightly wrinkled on the upper surface. Costa (in a dry state) of 

 a pale straw-colour ; the areoles formed by the venation are long- 

 linear, and angular at the ends. Lines of sori few, often continuing 

 uninterrupted for a distance of 2 or 3 inches, a little winding in their 

 direction, and generally nearer to the margin than the costa, with 

 naked and partially immersed sporangia. 



Allied to A. falcatum of Blume ; but distinct in the narrow, slightly 

 falcate fronds, and in the presence of a costa. In its linear and some- 

 what continuous line of sori, it presents a strong affinity with the 



17 



