76 



HI. ICES LEPTOSPORANGIATAE 



2. Order: H yd ropteri tics. 



A. Delicate floating, moss-like herbs. Son of two kinds, containing 

 either a number of microsporangia or a single macrosporangium. 



Gen. 39. 9. Azollaceae 



B. Rooted aquatic or marsh plants with a rhizome-like stem and alternate 

 leaves. Fertile leaves with 4-parted lamina and basal sporocarpia. Sporo- 

 carpium bean-shaped with a tough wall, bearing numerous sori on its inner 

 side, each one containing micro- and macrosporangia. The sporocarpium is 

 split by the swelling of an annular layer of cells, and this gelatinous ring forces 

 the sporangia out. The male prothallium remains enclosed in the spore and 

 produces two antheridia. (big. 57.) 



Gen. 40. 10. Marsiliaceae 



Fig. 57. Manilla. 1. M. capensis A. Br. Plant collected near Worcester. 2, .;. 

 M. lalvatrix Hanst. Long, section of a sporocarpium, showing the sporangia. 10/1. 

 \. M. data A. Br. <? gametophyte. 300/1. This discharges later on the 

 spermatozoids. 5. M. lalvatrix^ macrospore. 30/1. (1 from nature, 2 5 aftei 

 Belajeff) 



Class II. EQUISETINAE. Horsetails. Paardestaart. 



(Fig. 58.) The only family. Goi. 4 1 . [i. Equisetaceae 



The only species of this class occurring in South Africa is Equisetutn 



ramosissimum. This plant is considered to be injurious to stock. Sometimes 



called dronkgras (Transvaal), like the more southerly Mc/ica decumbens 



(dram. Vol. iv). 



