280 



F I L I C E S. 



Very distinct from the preceding species. Plant arborescent ; the 

 trunk from 4 to 6 feet high. Stipes of a reddish-brown colour, and 

 with the main rhachis nearly round ; but the former with a strong 

 rib on each side, its surface rough with numerous hard and elevated 

 black points. Fronds short, broad and spreading, coriaceous, bipin- 

 nate, of a paler colour on the under than the upper surface. Pinnules 

 lance-oblong, acuminate, pinnatifid about two-thirds down to the 

 rhachis ; the point for about an inch entire, or lobate-crenate. Seg- 

 ments ovate-oblong, obtuse, entire or finely crenate. Sori copious, 

 from 4 to 14 on each segment, seated close to the margin, and often 

 continuing outwards to the very point. Indusium large and horny, 

 of a brown colour; the valves unequal, the inner one longer and nar- 

 rower than the outer. 



This principally inhabits the outskirts of forests. It is liable to 

 vary in the depth of the divisions of its pinnules. The trunk is not 

 quite so tall as in G. glaucum, but like it is somewhat slender, con- 

 sidering its large crown of fronds. Individuals were frequently ob- 

 served growing close to the trunks of forest trees, the upper half of 

 the trunk of the Fern inclining towards and often leaning against 

 that of the trees, as if making use of them to support its heavy head 

 of fronds. 



3. Cibotium Menziesii, Book. 



<Jihotium Menziesii, Hook. Spec. Fil. 1, p. 84, t. 29, C. 



Hab. Sandwich Islands; frequent. 



This is again very different from either of the two preceding 

 species; having a shorter and thicker trunk, and shorter and more 

 coriaceous fronds, which are smooth on both sides ; the under surface 

 of the pinnules glaucous, or at least of a much paler colour than the 

 upper, and lance-oblong, acuminate, pinnatifid nearly to the rhachis, 

 or sinuately pinnatifid; the segments or lobes ovate or ovate-oblong, 

 obtuse, and crenate; the numerous large sori seated close to the 

 margin, and extending from the base of the wide sinus nearly to the 

 point of the segments. Inner valve of the indusium larger and nar- 



