POLYPODIACE^. 19J 



62. LASTREA, Bory, Presl, J. Sm. 



(Aspidii, Polystichi, & Nephrodii Spec. Auct. Thelypteris, Schott.) 



* Frondce pinnatce ; pinnis pinnatifidis. 



1. Lastrea articulata, Sp. Nov. (Tab. 26.) 



L. rhizomate repente; stipite tereti articulate rufo-pubescente ; frondibm 

 subcoriaceis pinnatis; pinnis sessilibus attends oblongo-lanceolatis 

 pinnatifidis supra pubescentibus apice subacute- serratis basi truncato- 

 cuneatis, superioribus coadunatis crenato-dentatis, laciniis semi-oblongis 

 obtusis, costa venisque utrlnque rufo-pubescentibus; soris sparsis; 

 indusio reniformi-orbicidato lacero. 



Hab. Ovolau, Feejee Islands : in mountain forests ; on rocks and 

 trees. 



Rootstock long, slender, branched, creeping, about the thickness of a 

 quill from the wing of a pigeon, with a few scattered minute scales 

 on its surface. Stipe round, one or 2 inches long, articulated near the 

 base, rufous-pubescent. Fronds subcoriaceous, lance-oblong, acuminate, 

 from 3 to 9 inches long, pinnate at the base, towards the point pinna- 

 tifid, and terminating in a serrate point. Pinnae sessile, alternate, 

 horizontal, oblong-lanceolate, most of them over an inch in length and 

 4 to 5 lines broad, truncate-cuneate at the base, pinnatifid about half- 

 way down to the costa, towards the somewhat obtuse point bluntly 

 serrate, pubescent on the upper surface. Segments semi-oblong, obtuse, 

 entire. Rhachis, costa, and veins rufous-pubescent throughout. Sori 

 scattered, seated on the apices of the first and second lower and 

 superior venules; the indusium of a pale-brown colour, and of a 

 round-reniform shape, its margin lacerated. 



In habit this beautiful little Fern approaches, we must confess, 

 very near to species of Nephrolepis, as that genus is now constituted ; 

 but the pinnse not being articulated with the rhachis, and the scat- 



