62 
The Queensland Naturalist. 
VOL. I. 
(16) Polyfodium tenellum. This handsome fern with 
its long fronds and simple pinnae is becoming 
quite a common object in our Brisbane shade- 
houses. 
(17) Poly'podium 'pallidum, Brackenhridge. Perhaps 
the most beautiful fern of the scrubs. Its pale 
yellow-green, lace-like foliage rendering it a lovely 
object. 
(18) Polypodi'um pcecilopldehium, Hook. 
(19) Polypodium irioides, Poir. Forms in some places 
dense masses. The peculiar manner in which the 
sori are densely disseminated over the leaf-surface 
is a remarkable feature. 
(20) Poly podium ac^fostichoides, Forst. This is really 
an arboreal fern coming to the ground wdtli 
detached branches. Its turgid simple leaves are 
very tolerant of dry conditions under which it 
grows, remaining fresh for many days ; the stellate 
hairs covering its under, and in part its upper 
surfaces are noteworthy. 
(21) Antrophyum reticulatum, Kaulf. Growing on damp 
rocks, attaining a length of a foot or more. Its sori 
forming a network (opposite to the nervures) are 
remarkable. 
(22) Acrosticum repandum, Blume. A fern whose 
thick, dark-green, slim foliage renders it a most 
conspicuous object. 
BRUSH-TAILED PHASCOGALE 
(Phascogale pencillata). 
From Canungra. Exhibited by Mr. R. W.^ Lahey. 
This small marsupial belongs to the family Dasyuridse. 
It is an animal not frequently seen on account of its noc- 
turnal life, extreme agility, and habit of climbing trees 
and running swiftly along their boughs. 
Its teeth, the molars 4 in each jaw above and below, 
being studded with prickly tubercles, suggest an insecti- 
vorous diet. Krelft, however, though silent on this point, 
mentions its adeptness in capturing and consuming small 
rodents (mice). It is often credited with being very de- 
structive in the hen-roost, and although this reputation 
is, according to the naturalist mentioned, unmerited, that 
it preys on small birds is a fact well established. 
Although, as stated, it is a marsupial, it lacks a pouch — 
8 mammse are, however, present. 
It has been long known, although rare, as above- 
stated, White having described it over a hundred years 
since (1798). 
