154 



F I L I C E S. 



and confined to the upper half of the frond. Indusium narrowly 

 linear, entire. 



This is very distinct from the preceding species, in the membra- 

 naceous and serrate pinnae, broader at the base, with a proliferous 

 costa and distant sori. Its affinity is perhaps closer to the following. 



Plate 21. — Fig. 1. Frond, of the natural size. 1 a. Section of a 

 pinna, showing the indusium. lb, lb. Sporangia. — The details 

 magnified. 



19. Asplenium obliquum, Forst. 



Aqjhnium obUquum, Forst. ex Sw. Syn. Fil. p. 78 & 268 ; Willd. Spec. PL 5, p. 



315 ; A. Rich. Bot. Voy. Astrol. p. 72. 

 A. lucidum, Forst. ex Sw. Syn. Fil. p. 78 & 269 ; Willd. Spec. PI. 5, p. 315. 



Hab. Sandwich Islands ; frequent. Vicinity of the Bay of Islands, 

 New Zealand : in forests. 



This we believe to be the most variable species belonging to the 

 present group of Asplenium. In the Sandwich Island plant the pinnae 

 vary in form from rhomboid to nearly trapezoid, and are about 4 

 inches long and 2 inches broad ; thence passing through a number of 

 intermediate forms to linear-lanceolate and attenuate, then 6 inches 

 long, by 6 lines broad : in many instances, the superior half of the base 

 is acutely auriculate. Some of these forms are quite membranaceous, 

 and the margin serrate only towards the point, the base usually un- 

 equal and cuneafe. The fronds are from 18 inches to 4 feet long : 

 stipes about half that length, smooth, naked, rather stout for their 

 length, and sulcate in front, with a tuft of lanceolate, lacerated, reti- 

 culated scales at the base. Sori sometimes distant ; but occasionally 

 an evident disposition is shown to produce double or binate sori, as in 

 Diplazium. The New Zealand plant agrees with Swartz and Willde- 

 now's description of A. obliquum. 



A. Richard has already united to this the A. lucidum of Forster, 

 and we believe correctly ; as forms of the present species are to be 

 found which answer to the character of both. 



