of some New Zealand Ferns. 
189 
cent. Root , fibrous,— Todea superba, ( W. C-, MSS.,) in 
lett. to Sir W. J. Ilook.; July , 1841. 
Hab. In dells, in shaded forests, on the mountainous range 
near Waikare Lake, in decomposed sandstone soil; Decem¬ 
ber, 1841. And, on Tongauro Mountain ; 1838. 
Obs. This truly magnificent Fern has only hitherto been 
met with in those mountainous localities, where it attains to 
a large size, some fronds measuring upwards of four feet in 
length. The old fronds spread outwards, forming a complete 
circle of dark perennial green, while the younger ones, 
(generally three in number) circinnate and of a lighter green, 
rise in the most graceful sub-erect manner from the centre. 
Words, however, fail to describe the elegant appearance of 
this plant, heightened by its numerous multifid crisped-and- 
curled moss-like segments, meeting across and partially con¬ 
cealing its petioles on which they grow. I passed through 
those secluded mountainous recesses where these lovely plants 
abound, in tremendously heavy rain, which, as if caused by 
the guardian Dryades of these woods, almost precluded my 
bringing away any specimens ; notwithstanding, however, 1 
succeeded in securing and drying two dripping-wet fronds, 
which I brought in safety to the Bay of Islands. One of 
these has subsequently been sent to Sir W. J. Hooker, for 
his herbarium. 
Paihia, January 3, 1843. 
Note .—Six species of Ferns contained in the preceding list have 
already appeared in the Tasmanian Journal , Vol. 1, pp, 375—9^ k u t it has 
been deemed desirable to republish them, in connexion with the other and 
allied species, from Mr. Colcnso’s amended MS. Those already pub¬ 
lished are Aspidium Cunninghamianum , (as A. Qunninghamii,) Lomaria 
nigra , L. linearis , L. deltoides , L. rotund\folia 7 and Hymenophyllum 
Frunklinianuni] (as IL Fvanklinioc.) —Ed. 
