TAB. X. 
Leptoptekis superea. 
Fronde brevi-petiolata lanceolata inferne longe attenuata 
bipinnata, pinnis primariis oblongo-linearibus acuminatis 
patentibus inferioribus deflexis, pinnulis pinnatifidis laciniis 
lanceolatis obtusiusculis costatis integris vel furcatis, petiolo 
rachique primario inferne proecipue robusto rachibusque 
partialibus omnibus fusco-setoso-tomentosis. 
Todea superba, Colenso s Ferns of N. Zeal. p. 28. Herb . N. 
Zeal n. 2306, 793, 113, 1672, and 281. 
Trichomanes, Banks , in Herb. Jacq. mem. Herb. Imp. Palat. 
Vien . (. Presl .) 
Hab. Northern Island, N. Zealand. Forster in Herb. Hook . ; 
Dells, in shaded forests ; on the mountain range near 
Waikare lake, in decomposed sandstone soil. Deer. 1841 ; 
Tongarou mountain, 1838. Rev. W. Colenso. Dr. Sinclair , 
Upper Hill, Port Nicholson, Dr. Lyall. 
I possess a specimen of this plant, gathered by Forster in 
N. Zealand, during Captain Cook’s voyage, and in all proba- 
bility it is the same plant named “ Trichomanes ” in Jacq. 
Herb, and not the L. pellucida to which Presl refers it, com- 
municated, by Sir Joseph Banks, to the Austrian Botanist: 
to Forster therefore is due its discovery. It seems to have 
remained unknown to any other Botanist till the Rev. Mr. 
Colenso detected it in 1838 and 1841 in the above local- 
ities. Its affinities are with the N. Zealand Todea pellucida , 
(see Tab. 8. of leones Plantarum), and the Australian Todea 
Fraseri , Hook, et Grev. Ic. Fil. t. 101. The three we think 
are well separated from Todea , and Presl has determined the 
character of his Genus Leptopteris in his Suppl. Tent. Pteridogr. 
p. 70. As a species, it is abundantly distinguished by the out- 
line of the frond tapering at the base, the stout stipes and main 
rachis, and the copious bristly tomentum of the underside of the 
main and partial rachis. Some of the fronds,” Mr. Colenso 
says, cc are upwards of four feet in length. The old fronds 
spread outwards, while the younger ones, generally three in 
number, circinnate and of a lighter green, rise in the most 
graceful suberect manner from the centre.” 
Fig. 1. Fertile pinnule as seen from the underside, f. 2. 
Small portion of the same, f 3. 4. Capsules : — magnified , 
