186 



F I L I C E S. 



This approaches so closely to the preceding species, that it is only 

 to be distinguished by the longer fronds, and the somewhat broader 

 pinnse, divided in a pinnatifid manner, with resinous globules on the 

 veins beneath; and even these slight distinctions are not perfectly 

 constant. 



3. Nephrodium: molle, Sc7iott. 



Nephrodium molle, Sohott, ex Hook. Gen. Fit t. 48, B, f. 1-5. 

 Aspidium molle, Sw. Syn. Fil. p. 49 ? Willd. Spec. PI. 5, p. 246. 

 Polysticliium molle, Gaud. Bot. Freyc. Voy. p. 326. 



Hab. Tahiti, Society Islands. Savaii, Samoan Islands. Ovolau, 

 Feejee Islands. Luzon, Philippine Islands. Island of Madeira. 



Our specimens of this from the islands in the Pacific Ocean do not 

 differ materially from the Madeira plant ; although there are varie- 

 ties, originating from slight modifications in the form of the pinnae, 

 with the surface more or less hairy. In the Samoan specimens the 

 pinnge are lanceolate, with a narrow caudate-acuminate and toothed 

 point, soriferous almost to its very apex, and the costa and rhachis 

 densely villous on both sides ; while the Feejee plant is less villous, 

 and the pinnse lanceolate, slightly acuminate, and bearing a profusion 

 of sori. Our Tahiti specimens are larger than the preceding varieties, 

 and, being very young, are consequently more flaccid, but otherwise 

 they very much resemble the plant from Madeira. The two inferior 

 segments, and particularly the upper one of the two, are considerably 

 larger than the rest, in all these forms. 



4. Nephrodium pubescens, Sp. Nov. 



N. stipite graclli sulcato pubescence; frondlbus oblong ia membranaceis 

 pinnatis; pinnis sessilibus alter nis divaricatis infimls deflexis linear^ 

 lanceolatis pinnatifidis acuminatis apice integris basi truncato-cuneatis, 

 laciniis oblwigis obtusis ; rhachi costa venisque utrinque pubescentlbus ; 

 soris magnis inter costam et marginem cequidistantlbus ; indusio reni- 

 formi Mrsuto. 



