I/O Plants and their Ways in South Africa 



the germ-cell grows into a leafy fern plant, just as the stalked 

 capsule of the moss grew out of the pockets hidden among the 

 leaves. The fern plant, though, soon gets able to take care of 

 itself, while the moss capsule always depends upon the leafy 

 part for its food. In the liverworts, mosses, and ferns, the 

 germ-cell has to swim to reach its sperm-cell, but the spores 

 are borne up into the air, and are scattered by the wind. 



These plants have two generations: the part bearing the sperm- and 

 germ-cells, and the part bearing the spores. The higher plants also have 

 two generations, but the generation corresponding to the prothallium of the 

 fern is hidden away, partly within the seed and partly within the pollen 

 grains. The sperm-cells are contained in the pollen, and are carried down 

 in the pollen-tube. By this time they have lost the power of swimming. 



II. 



III. 



Fig. 175. — Pinnae of fern leaves. I. Aspidhim with a single sorus ; the spore cases may 

 be seen around the edge of the indusium. II. Aspleniuni with several sori. III. A 

 young fern plant growing from the heart-shaped prothallium. (From Thom^ and 

 Bennett's Structural and Physiological Botany.") 



Hemitelia capensis^ the tree fern, the most beautiful fern 

 in South Africa, extends from Table Mountain to Natal. 



Pteris aqnlina grows commonly on hills. 



The spore cases of Pteris are continuous along the margin 

 of the leaf which is folded over to protect them. 



Osmnnda regalis is a stately fern also extending across 

 South Africa. The fruit-bearing part is quite distinct from the 

 leafy part, forming a plume-like panicle. 



Schizea pectinaia is a curious fern, which might easily be 

 mistaken for a grass. The frond or leaf is just a wiry stalk 

 with very small comb-shaped lobes at the top. 



Unlike so many ferns whicli thrive best in shady ravines, it can grow in 

 very dry, hot situations. It is found on mountain tops and down nearly 

 to the sea level. 



