66 PTERIDOPHYTA 



sporophylls, the spores being either all of one kind 

 (isosporous pteridophytes) or oi two kinds, viz. micro- 

 spores and macrospores (heterosporous pteridophytes), e.g* 



Se la pine I la. 



With the germination oi the spore recommences the 

 cycle of life, as in the bryophytes. 



One of our indigenous ferns, found in Natal and 

 adjoining districts, viz. Dryopteris athamantica , a species 

 nearly allied to the European Male fern [D. filix mas), is, 

 like that plant, employed as a vermifuge, and the rhizomes 

 are oecasionally exported under the name of Radix pannae. 

 Its native name is Irikomokomo. 



THE CLASSES OF THE PTERIDOPHYTES. 



Class 1. FILICINAE. 



Stems usually small in proportion to the leaves, 

 mostly underground, sometimes creeping; in a few S. A. 

 species upright. Leaves mostly large and much divided, 

 rarely entire. Sporangia as a rule grouped in sori, which 

 are either naked or partly covered by a membranous 

 indusium, or completely enclosed in a capsule-like 

 indusium. 



Class II. EQUISETINAE. 



Stems simple or branched. Leaves much reduced, 



whorled, mostly membranous. Sporangia on peltate 



sporophylls, which are arranged in a terminal spike. 



The only S. A. Fam. : Equisetaceae (page 76). 



Class III. LYCOPODIINAE. 



Stems simple or branched, small. Leaves small, not 

 whorled, mostly green. Sporangia solitary in the axils of 

 leaves or at their base (page 78). 



* Syn. Nephr odium athamanticum. 



