THE FERN WORLD OF AUSTRALIA. 
9 
Aspidium cordifolium. Commonly found growing in the masses 
of Epiphytes both in Queensland and N. S. Wales. This plant, 
which is equally common on rocks, is directly recognized by the bright 
glossy tuhors which are forjned on its wiry running stems. 
Polypodium serpens. A small thick-leaved matted fern found 
growing on trees in swamps, most plentiful near the coast from Cape 
Howe, Victoria, to Rockingham Bay, Queensland. 
Polypodiun confluens. In texture this plant resembles the 
last, but its leaves are often six to eight inches long. Common on 
scrub trees in Queensland and N. S. Wales. The seed patches of 
this and the last kind are large and often run together at the ends 
of the thick leaves in one mass. 
Polypodium acrostichoides. The same thick leaves as .the 
last but much longer, stiffer and often forked, the seed patches are 
also much smaller. Found on trees along the tropical coast of 
Queensland. 
Polypodium attenuatum. Found on trees in the ranges of 
both Queensland and N. S. Wales. Leaves thick, dark green, 
narrow ; the seed patches oval, large forming raised marks on the 
upper surface. 
Polypodium simplioissimum. Leaves tapering, six inches long, 
on stems of trees, Rockingham Bay, Queensland. 
Polypodium subauriculatum. A very beautiful pinnate leaved 
fern found on the trees of tropical Queensland, forming at times 
large patches. The leaves are of delicate texture and have a 
graceful weeping habit. 
Platycerium alcicorne, or elk's horn. Plants of this kind are 
often clustered together in immense masses. The leave's (fronds) 
are of two forms, those bearing the seed patches being divided into 
long lobes, at the points of which the seed patches are placed. 
Platycerium grande, or stag's horn, is a much larger plant 
and is more frequently found singly, the fertile leaves or those 
bearing the seed patches are from the crown and often very large, 
the seed patches of this kind will be found situated at the first 
large bay of these widely divided leaves. Both this and the last 
are common to the scrubs of Queensland and N. S. Wales. 
Group IV. — Forest Ferns. 
Ophioglossum vulgatum. There are two forms of this common 
adder's tongue, met with in forest or timbered country usually on the 
damp flats or the western slope of a hill. In these situations the 
plant is seldom above four inches high and often not more than an 
inch, the fertile portion similiar in each but the sterile frond varies 
much in form being in some narrow and grass-like, an inch and a 
half long, while in others it will be found nearly round and not 
more than a quarter of an inch across. Roots hard brittle-tubers. 
Common throughout Queensland, N. S. Wales, Victoria and 
Tasmania. 
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