298 
New Zealand Ferns 
(118 ) N.unitum (united). A swamp-loving fern, 
for long reported only from the thermal springs district, 
but found of late years in the far north of Auckland ; it 
is a larger and a darker green plant than N. thelypteris 
— our other marsh fern. 
Description . — Root long, stout, creeping, sparingly clothed 
with dark-brown scales. Stalks 6 to 14 inches long, smooth, erect, 
almost black at the base, brownish above. Fronds 6 to 18 inches 
long, without the stalks, by 3 to 9 inches broad, somewhat rigid 
and dry in texture, smooth, dark-green. Seeds copious, nearer 
the margin than the midrib. 
North Island: Swamps in the North Cape district, at Hou- 
lioura, Waihi, Rangaunu Harbour, Ahipara, etc. ; hot springs at 
Miranda. Thames; hot water swamps in thermal springs district; 
not uncommon from Maketu and Rotorua to Waiotapu, Roto- 
kawa, Wairakei, and Tokaanu. Sea-level to 1,800 feet. 
When returning from a trip to the Taupo district with 
plants of our two swamp-loving ferns — N. thelypteris 
and N. unitum , I was at a loss where to put them. Then 
a happy and very obvious solution occurred to me — make 
a swamp! I made a swamp on a diminutive scale, and, 
so far, with complete success. Fresh fronds are appear- 
ing each week. 
An abundant species in most tropical, and warm tem- 
perate countries. 
