20 
THE FERN WORLD OF AUSTRALIA. 
being a very few, sometimes over a dozen in each row. The 
normal form, or the one with large broad blades, will be mostly met 
with in close damp gullies or beds of rivers, between ranges, often 
growing in the crevices of rocks. The other two forms are usually 
found growing among grass in damp localities all over Queensland, 
iilso in N. 8. Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and N. Australia. 
O. pendulum, Linn, Ribbon Fern. This plant is mostly found 
epiphytal on stag's-horn fern, its fronds long and fleshy often 
hanging like fleshy ribbons from the base of the plant upon which 
it is growing to the length of several teet, the ends are at times 
forked ; about the middle of this long ribbon is situated the tongue- 
like fertile spike which is often short but at times six inches long 
and ^ inch broad bearing two opposite rows of spore -cases as in 
the terrestrial species. The short fleshy roots of this species are 
very brittle, tos it is difficult to transplant without removing a 
large portion of the stag's-horn along with it, indeed it always 
seems to thrive best when growing in company with that fern. 
Found throughout Queensland and part of N. S. Wales. 
II. BOTRYCHIUM, SWARTZ. OR MoONWORT. 
Fructification on a distinct branch of the frond paniculate with 
many one-sided spikelets spore-cases in two rows, globose sepi^rate, 
bursting transverse to the rib or branch on which they are placed 
longitudinal as to the spore-case. 
Name derived from the Greek on account of the supposed resem- 
blance of the fertile portion of the frond to a bunch of grapes. 
Two species are met with in Australia. 
B. lunaria, Swartz. The common moonwort of Britain has 
not as yet been found in Queensland but is plentiful in Victoria 
and Tasmania. Size of plant varying from three to eight inches 
high, a few scales at the base, otherwise smooth erect, barren portion of 
frond pinnate one to three inches long, bearing from five to fifteen 
somewhat fan-shaped leaflets entire or notched at the margin, veins 
forked radiating from the base, fertile branch erect shortly branched; 
usually found on grassy plains. 
B. ternatum, Swartz. Grape Fern. Roots often deep in the 
earth. Fertile and barren portions of frond often divided just above 
the crown of the plant ; from six to eighteen inches high, fertile 
portions erect, barren portions spreading and much divided resem- 
bling a leaf of parsley, veins diverging but mostly hidden in the thick 
substance of the frond. Besides many parts of Queensland this 
fern is also met with in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. 
The plant dehghts in a rich dark moist soil, and is therefore often 
met with along the banks of rivers ; at one time it was abundant 
along the Brisbane. In the guHies of Taylor's range fine specimens 
may often be gathered. 
III. — Helminthostachys, Kaulf. 
Fertile portion of frond consisting of an erect spike bearing small 
