Hab. Pirongia Mountain, not uncommon above 2,200 feet alt.; Karioi Mountain, near the summit of the highest peaks, alt. 2,300 feet.

From the above description it will be seen that the species is closely allied to the variable and widely distributed P. billardieri, but from all the forms of this plant it can readily be distinguished by the rhizome being densely clothed with shaggy spreading scales entirely different in appearance from the closely appressed squamæ with which the rhizome of P. billardieri is furnished. It is also a larger plant, the fronds being often over 2 feet in height; the lobes are far more numerous and much narrower; the venation is more indistinct, the texture thinner, and the sori smaller. In addition, I failed to observe any tendency to the polymorphism of the fronds so well marked in both P. billardieri and its near ally P. pustulatum. All the plants seen had their fronds uniformly lobed in a pinnate manner as described above, and simple-fronded specimens could not be found. I should perhaps mention that the ordinary forms of P. billardieri and P. pustulatum were abundant in the same locality; indeed, the three plants could be seen growing side by side.

Note.—22nd December, 1877. Since writing the above I have been informed that a new Polypodium has been recently discovered by Mr. H. C. Field in the forest country to the west of Ruapehu. Not having seen specimens I am unable to state positively that Mr. Field's plant is the same as mine, but from the description given to me I have but little doubt that the two are identical.