334 FLORA VITIENSIS. 
stipitibus crassis, rachibusque asperis 5 frondibus amplis, subcoriacels, glabris, bipinnatis ; pinnulis 
sessilibus, oblongo-lanceolatis, caudato-acummats, bast pinnatis, apice serratis ; segmentis lineari-ob. 
longis, falcatis, subacutis, serratis, sterilibus subbiseriatis ; rachi supra tomentosa; costis subtus 
bullato-squamosis ; yenis prominulis, furcatis, parce setosis ; sors plurimis, cost quam margini propi- 
oribus, squame destitutis.—Polypodium lunulatum, Forst. Prodr. n. 456.—Nomen vernac, Viti. 
ense, “ Balabala.’—Viti Levu, Ovalau, Lakeba, and most of the larger islands (Seemann! n, 768; 
Milne! Brackenridge; M‘Gillivray ! Harvey!), It has been also found in Aneitum (M ‘Gillivray !) 
Friendly Islands (G. Forster! D. Nelson!), and Samoan Islands (Brackenridge). 
i 
«The Balabala is common all over the group, especially on the weather side, and its trunk attains the 
height of about twenty-five feet, and eight or ten inches in thickness. The fronds form a magnificent 
crown of gigantic dimensions, rendering the planta noble feature in the landscape. The trunks make excel- 
lent posts, lasting an incredibly long tume, and possessing moreover the advantage of being almost fire. 
proof, After a house has been burnt down, they are almost the on] y trace that remains. It is also custo- 
mary to make the ridge pole of houses and temples of this Tree-fern, and to surround it with the Wa- 
Kalou (holy creeper), 2 species of that curious genus of climbing Ferns, Lygodictyon,—partially no doubt 
from some superstitious notions, but partially also to keep out the wet. The trunks of the Balabala, cut 
snto ornamental forms, are frequently observed around tombs, temples, churches, and bures, presenting a 
pretty effect. The little sticks which the chiefs carry, stuck under their turban, and with which they 
scratch their heads, are also made of Balabala. The young leaves are eaten in times of scarcity, while the 
soft scales covering the stipes of the fronds, are used for stuffing pillows and cushions by the white settlers 
in preference to feathers, because they do not become so heated, and are thus a real luxury in a sultry tro- 
pical night.”"—Seem. 
9. A. Vitiensis, Carr. in Herb, Mus. Brit. ; rachibus partialibus subteretibus, supra sulcatis 
hirsutis, subtus sparse muricatis; pinnis ovali-oblongis, acuminatis, supra opaco-viridibus, subtus 
pallidioribus ; pinnulis sessilibus, lanceolatis, pinnatifidis, apice serratis ; segmentis oblongis, obtusis, 
serratis, suberecto-patentibus, praecter costas subtus squamosas glaberrimis ; squamis rufis, apice cilia- 
tis; nervis prominentibus, numerosis, trifurcatis, ramulis parallelis; soris in furcaturam secunda- 
riam insidentibus, cost quam margini propioribus, squame destitutis.—Viti, locality not specified 
(Sir E. Home!). 
_ ‘This species approaches A. lunulata, R. Brown, but is easily distinguished by the darker colour of the 
frond, the form of the segments, and the crowded parallel nerves with rufous, flat, ciliate scales. 
3, A. truncata, Brack. U. S. Expl. Exped. Filices, p. 289. t. 41 ; stipitibus rachibusque com- 
munibus subteretibus furfuraceis muricatis; frondibus tripinnatis coriaceis; pinnis oblongo-lanceo- 
latis, acuminatis; pinnis secundariis sessilibus, oblongis, obtusis v. acuminatis, pinnatis, apice brevi 
pinnatifidis ; pinnulis petiolulatis, lineari-oblongis, obtusis, basi truncatis, margine reflexo repando- 
crenatis; rachibus partialibus costisque subtus squamosis ; venis plerumque furcatis; soris axillari- 
bus inter costam et marginem zequidistantibus ; receptaculo vix elevato.—Viti (Brackenridge ; Milne! 
and M‘Gillivray !). 
7 
Trisus Il, DICKSONIA. 
Besides the species enumerated below, the following members of this tribe are found in tropical 
Polynesia:—1. Cibotium glaucum, Hook. et Arn, Bot. Beech, p. 108 (excl. syn.); Sandwich Islands 
(Menzies! D. Nelson! Hildebrand! U.S. Expl. Exped.). According to A. Smith, this plant yields the 
Pulu Hapu.” . 2. C. Chamissoi, Kaulf. Enum. Fil. p. 230, Sandwich Islands (Macrae! Seemann 
Barclay! Strickland!), 8, C. Menziesit, Hook. Sp. Fil. vol. i. p. 84, Sandwich Islands (D. Nelson : 
Macrae! U. S. Expl. Hxped.). 4. Dennstedtia flaccida, Bernh, Schrad. Journ. 1800, vol. il. P. 1 
(Trichomanes flaccidum, Forst. Prodr, n. 472; Dicksonia flaccida, Sw. Schrad. Journ. 1800, vol. ii. p. 90), 
Pacific Islands (Forster !), Aneitum and Tana (M‘Gillivray !). "5. D. Samoense, T. Moore, Ind. Ful P 
307 (Sitobolium (errore Sitolobiwm) Samoense, Brack.), Savaii, Samoan group (U. S. Expl. Exped.). 6, D. 
seandens, T. Moore, Ind. Fil. p. 807 (Sitoboliwm scandens, Brack.), Tahiti (U. 8. Expl. Exped.). 7, Depart 


