77 
Descriptive Notes on Papuan Plants. 
Fronds about 4 feet lonj^. Eachis unarmed. Middle pinnae hardly 
above a span lon^. Well developed pinnules nearly an inch lon^ and 
about ^ inch broad ; the fertile and sterile pinnules or segments of nearly 
the same width. Veins simple or branched into two, except the lowest, 
which are generally divided into three or four branches. Veinlets none. 
Outer valve of the indusium in texture and color similar to the frond, 
unless towards the margin ; inner valve rudimentary, membranous. 
Sporangia partly protruding. 
The definition of this species rests on two fronds, and it remains to be 
recorded, whether this is an arborescent or stemless species. Base of 
rachis yet unknown. This Papuan Dicksonia verges to the section 
Deparia, the sori forming teethlike lobules along the pinnules. The 
nearest approach to our new species seems to be formed by D. Smithii 
(Hook. Sp. Filic. i. 80, t. 28), from which ours is easily distinguished by 
larger and glabrous ultimate pinnules, with only minute serratures and 
a free truncate not attenuated base, while the sori are terminating 
minute lobules and are not seated in a sinus. 
It is possible, that what I have regarded as a whole frond may be only 
a primary pinna of a three-pinnate frond ^ in such a case the supposed 
pinnules are ultimate segments, and then this must be a magnificently 
fronded gigantic fern. 
Another Dicksonia, verging fully to the section Microlepia of Davallia, 
occurs among the plants from the Fly-Eiver. To this the name 
D. delicata might be given. From D, davallioidea (R. Br. Pr. 158), 
which I have lately found as far south as the Cape Otway ranges, and to 
which perhaps Cheilanthes dicksonioides (Endl. Prodr. FI. Norfolk, 15) 
belongs, it differs much in outline, the fronds being less compound, but 
the pinnffi and pinnules longer, while the secondary pinnules are larger 
and generally deeper dissected, with lobules less cleft and more distant. 
From D. cuneata (Hook. Sp. Filic. 80, t. 28) it differs in a similar mode, 
besides in more membranous fronds and as well as from D. Samoensis 
(Bak. Synops. 462) in the deeper cleavage of the ultimate pinnules. 
To arrive at a final decision in reference to the distinctions of these 
species it is still needful to observe their manner of growth and also 
the nature of their rhizome. 
Davallia Blumeana. 
Hooker, Spec. Filic. i. 177, t. Ur A. 
Fly-River ; D’Albertis. 
