of 'some New Zealand Ferns . 
3 
I am not aware of any one of these Ferns now described 
by me ever being seen by any botanist ; they certainly are 
not mentioned in any works on botany at present in my pos- 
session ; and considering the localities whence they were ob- 
tained, together with my never having noticed them in the 
many parts of New Zealand in which I have at various times 
travelled, I can but deem them new to science. 
The arrangement I have adopted is that of Sir W. J. 
Hooker and Dr. Lindley, as given in the second edition of A 
Natural System of Botany by the latter gentleman. 
The total number of New Zealand Ferns now known, ex- 
clusive of varieties, is about 140 species, of these I have very 
nearly 120 species in my herbarium. 
Order — POLYPODIACEJL 
(T. Nudce.) 
§, Polypodies, Bory. 
Polypodium , Siv. 
Sporangia venis imposita, in soros subrotundos sparsos 
seriatosve collecta* Indusium nullum. Bndl, 
1. P. sylvaticum, n. sp. Plant , few fronded, erect, 
villous, terrestrial. Frond , lanceolate, acuminate, acute, bi- 
pinnate, 16 — 24 inches; colour, dark green. Pinnules; 
primaries , oblong-lanceolate, acute, subacuminate, petiolate, 
alternate, remote : secondaries , trapezio- falcate, setose, cu- 
neate at base, petiolate, alternate, sub -pinnatifid, 7 — 9 lobed : 
lobes, oblong and somewhat falcate, mucronate, serrate, less 
serratures on lower edge than on upper, decurrent, alternate. 
Sori , rotund, Aspidium-like, thickly set, 2—3 on a lobe. 
Rachis , Stipe , and Petioles , channelled on upper surface, 
and densely scaled. Stipe , 6 — 8 inches long. Scales , at 
base, very long and bordered. Root , fibrous. 
Hah. In rich alluvial soil, low, shaded, and damp woods, 
near Tolaga Bay, E. Coast ; Dec., 1841. 
Obs, A smaller variety of this Fern was also obtained by 
B 2 
