io8 
THE FERNS OF SOUTH AFRICA 
rather one-sided at the base, of which only the lowest are 
pinnate, the others being cut halfway to the mid-rib or more 
into blunt almost entire or crenated lobes, with reflexed edges. 
Sori abundant, below the sinus or near the mid-rib; indusium 
persistent. A South African fern only, growing in exposed 
places, usually in antbear and jackals’ holes, and sometimes 
difficult to distinguish from D. elongata when the latter is 
growing exposed to the sun. The more coriaceous texture, 
and the absence of sharp teeth, are the best marks. The 
lower lobe of the pinnule is generally larger on the upper 
side than the corresponding one on the lower side. This 
fern is called by the natives “ Inkomokomo,” and the rhizomes 
are said to be used as a vermifuge for the cure of tapeworm. 
A commercial export of roots occasionally takes place from 
Maritzburg for this purpose. 
Dryopteris athamantica (Kze). O. Ktze, Rev. Gen. PL 2, 812, 1891; 
C. Chr. Index , 253. 
Nephrodium athamanticuin. Hk. Sp. 4, 125, pi. 258; Hk. and Bkr, 
Syn. Fil. 277 ; Sim, Ferns of South Africa , 1st ed., 184. 
A spidium athamanticuin. Kunze, Linnaea, 18, 123. 
Lastrea athamantica. Pappe and Rawson, 13. 
Lastrea Plantii. Moore, in Hk. four. Bot. 5, 227. 
Kaff. — Main (Mrs Young); Umzimhlava, 4500 ft (R. Schl., 6556); 
Dohne and Kei Road (T. R. Sim); Bazija (Baur); St John’s River 
(Holland); Umtata (F. Abbott). 
Natal. — From Inanda inland (Wood); in most parts of the colony 
(Buchanan); Camperdown, Pinetown, Maritzburg (McKen) ; Mooi 
River (Gueinzius). 
Transvaal. — Macamac (McLea) ; Magalisbergen (Sanderson) ; Shi- 
louvane (Junod, 896); Marovuni, rare (Burtt-Davy, 219) ; Belfast, 
6400 ft (Burtt-Davy, 1287); Bassis, Carolina, 6000 ft (Burtt-Davy, 
2952); Waterfall Boven (F. A. Rogers, 988); Johannesburg (Mrs 
Hutton, 284) ; Woodbush (Mrs R. Pott). 
Rhodesia. — Near the Jumbo Mine (Holland) ; Umtali (Mrs Bennett); 
Mazoe, 4300 ft, 1909 (E. Eyles ; and F. Eyles, 562); Chirinda and 
Lusitu River, 3000 ft (Swynnerton, 875, 875 a, and 876). 
30. Dryopteris Buchanani (Baker) O. Ktze. 
Plate 20. Nat. size. 
Crown sub-erect, paleaceous. Frond firmly herbaceous, 
three-pinnate or four-pinnatifid, deltoid, one to three feet 
