98 
New Zealand Ferns 
V. HEMITELIA 
HEM] TELIA (half complete). A genus of 45 
species of tree-ferns, with one species and one recognised 
variety in New Zealand; not so big as Cyathea, from 
which it differs in the smaller size of the cup-shaped 
vessel supporting the seeds. 
H. SMITHII 
( 34 ) H. Smithii (Mr. Smith). Named after John 
Smith, curator of Kew Gardens. A very beautiful tree- 
fern, with the most tender foliage of any New Zealand 
arborescent species; easily recognised by the soft woolly 
scales of a light straw colour about the base of the 
fronds. 
Description . — Trunk 6 to 25 feet high, about 9 inches dia- 
meter. Stalks slender, clothed at the base with a dense brush of 
chestnut-brown scales. Fronds numerous, spreading horizontally. 
5 to 9 feet long by 1J to 2J feet broad, thin and membranous, 
bright fresh green. Seeds copious. 
Abundant throughout the Dominion. Sea-level to 2,000 feet. 
The species is easy of cultivation, though usually neg- 
lected for the more showy tree-ferns. The trunk is some- 
times branched. It is found in the Auckland Islands 
(South latitude 47.20), the extreme limit of arborescent 
ferns, and is confined to New Zealand. 
( 35 ) Var. microphylla (small leaved). Fronds fewer, 
soft, delicately membranous, pale grass-green, more fine- 
ly divided. Habitat similar to the foregoing. 
