20 
THE FERNS OF SOUTH AFRICA 
ScHIZOLOMA ENSIFOLIA is another stream fern, but be- 
longs to the warmer districts. It resembles Pteris cretica, 
but is much less satisfactory in cultivation and worth a place 
in collections only as a variety. 
ADIANTUM. — This is without doubt the favourite fern 
genus in South Africa, as well as in every other country. 
This happens through the beautiful and delicate cutting of 
the fronds, their useful shape, the vigorous constitution of 
most species, and the graceful habits which they assume. 
Many species are in cultivation, gathered from many countries, 
and South Africa supplies several of these. 
The best known group of these is that which includes A. 
capillus veneris, A. Poiretii, A. aethiopicnm , and A. sulphu- 
reum. 
A. capillus veneris is to be found in nearly every stream, 
surrounding waterfalls or wet rocky banks, and many natives 
make a living by collecting tin-fulls and hawking them round 
the nearest town. It enjoys loam, or even stiff soil if given 
drainage ; decomposed manure makes it more vigorous, and 
sandy soil makes it dwarf and compact. In its native state 
I have never seen scale upon it, but in cultivation it is more 
subject to it than most of the other Adiantums. It stands 
bright sunshine if the atmosphere is humid, and prefers rocky 
nooks in open streams rather than shady localities. A.aethio- 
picum is more usually found in shaded forest slopes, often quite 
away from a stream, and though not common, it often forms 
quite a mass where it is present. It is much more vigorous 
than any other S.A. Adiantum, and often grows fronds three 
feet high, and in cultivation it makes a grand specimen of 
such fronds. Good loam, leaf mould or decomposed manure 
suit it, and good drainage, moist atmosphere, and partial shade 
give best growth. It makes a splendid specimen, especially 
in a large pot, and it also makes a most graceful basket. 
A. Poiretii is a very similar fern, but smaller in habit and 
more difficult to cultivate satisfactorily. 
A. sulphureum is very similar to A. aethiopicum , but dusted 
on the under surface with yellow powder. It is vigorous, and 
