14 
THE FERNS OF SOUTH AFRICA 
able species, having several recognised forms. The African 
form has been separated as Aspidium coadunatum Wall., 
and is placed as a variety by Christensen under that name. 
Swynnerton’s 823 marked on label “var . gemmiferum Fee, a 
common fern,” does not appear to differ even as a variety. 
Aspidium cicutarium (Linn.) Sw. Schrad .Jour. 1800 2 , 36, 1801; 
C. Chr. Index , 68. 
Nephrodium cicutarium. Baker, Syn. Fil. 299; Sim, Ferns of South 
Africa , 1st ed., 187. 
Sagenia. J. Sm. 
Tropical America, Asia, Australia and Africa, the African 
localities including Angola, Guinea Coast, Zambesia and 
Mascarene Isles. 
Transvaal. — Macamac (Ayres, fide Buchanan). 
Rhodesia. — Umtali (Darling, Holland, Mrs Bennett); Gwaai Forest 
(J. Sim); Chirinda Forest, 3700 — 4000 ft (Swyn. 823); Mt Pene, 
6500 — 7000 ft (Swynnerton, 824 a). 
Portuguese East Africa. — Moramballa Mountains (Kirk, Waller). 
Genus 10. POLYSTICHUM Roth. 
Sori round, with a central stalk supporting the circular 
peltate indusium, which covers the capsules. Veins free. 
Fertile and barren fronds alike, pinnate or decompound. 
This genus is now credited by Christensen with 112 species, 
widely distributed ; the South African species were all included 
in Aspidium in our first edition, but the limitations of these 
genera are now altered. 
Synopsis of the species : 
36. P.aculeatum. Two-pinnate or casually three-pinnatifid. Pinnae 
lanceolate, lax, not increasing in breadth at the base ; scales 
brown. 
37. P. pungens. Two-pinnate, erect, stiff ; pinnae lanceolate, com- 
pact, not increasing in breadth at the base ; scales brown. 
38. P.luctuosum. Two-pinnate or casually three-pinnatifid. Pinnae 
lanceolate, increasing in breadth to the base ; scales long, nearly 
black. 
39. P. adiantiforme. Frond three-pinnate or four-pinnatifid ; lower 
pinnae deltoid ; teeth rounded, not bristle-pointed. 
