42 The Queensland Naturalist May, 1943 
Lower pinnae of fronds normal 5. Rebeccae 
Lower pinnae changed into fibrous 
growths which crown the trunk 
wig-like 6. Baileyana 
Tinnae covered with short pale hairs Sec- 
ondary pinnae pinnate, the ultimate 
segments finely lobed (Northern 
species) 7. Robertsiana 
1. C. australis , Rough Tree-fern. Fig. 1. 
A very common tree-fern in all the southern rain 
forests, rarer in the north. This species seems to prefer 
hillsides in rain forests, but frequently grows along creeks 
in cleared rain forest, and scattered plants of it may per- 
sist in open paddocks where rain-forest previously grew. 
It is easily recognised by its trunk being covered with the 
persistent prickly stalk-bases of fallen fronds. Trunk 
appearing stout on account of the attached frond-bases, up 
to 30ft. high. Fronds 4-10ft. long, usually bipinate; main 
axis and stalk of frond rough and becoming very prickly 
towards the base, which is densely clothed with long, soft, 
brownish scales. Primary pinnae about 2ft. long and 6-9 
inches wide, pinnatified almost to the midrib into numerous 
falcate segments ; (a few basal segments are sometimes free 
and shortly stalked). Margins indistinctly toothed. Spore- 
masses in one row on each side of the segments, midway 
between the midrib and margin. 
2. C. Brownii (A. excelsa ) Common or Tall Tree-fern. 
Figs. 3 and 6. 
This species is much more common in North Queens- 
land than C. australis , and is frequently found bordering 
creeks, both in the north and south. It has a tall slender 
trunk up to 30ft. high, marked with large oval scars left 
by the old fronds. A few of the uppermost old stalks 
remain attached to the trunk, often with remnants of the 
fronds still on them, and those come away readily when 
pulled. The fronds themselves are superficially almost 
indistinguishable from those of C. australis , but the scales 
at the base of frond stalks are pale, not brown. 
3. C. Woollsiana. 
A rather rare species confined so far as known to the 
coastal ranges of north-east. Queensland. Trunk slender, 
tuberculate. The fronds resemble in general appearance 
