140 
THE FERNS OF SOUTH AFRICA 
56. Asplenium trichomanes Linn. 
Plate 44. Fig. 1. Nat. size. 
Crowns tufted, several together, almost without scales 
except on the undeveloped young fronds. Frond four to 
eight inches long, half inch broad, simply pinnate, sub- 
coriaceous, linear lanceolate, narrowed gradually to the 
point, and the lower pinnae more distant and reduced. 
Rachis black, shining, and glabrous ; without margin, and 
similar to the wiry stipe, which is one to four inches in 
length. Pinnae one-quarter to half inch apart, alternate or 
sub-opposite, sessile, rhomboid, or nearly round, two to three 
lines broad and long, nearly equal-sided, or with the upper 
side rather larger. Upper pinnae cuneate; lowest flabellate; 
all minutely toothed round the outer edges. Veins pinnate, 
sori oblong, about five to a pinna, arranged three above, two 
below. 
A. trichomanes. Linn. Sp. PL 2, 1080, 1753; Kunze, Li?maea, 13; 
Schk., Fit. pi. 74; Pappe and Rawson, 19 ; Kuhn, Fit. Afr. 118 ; 
Hk. and Bkr, Syn. Fit. 196; Sim, Ferns of S. Afr., 1st ed., 133 ; 
C. Chr. Ind. 135. 
Widely distributed in temperate regions, but in South 
Africa very rare, and generally over 4000 feet alt. 
West. — Swellendam (Drege) ; Dutoit’s Kloof (Drege) ; Kookfontein 
(S. Burger, 963). 
East. — Bedford (Atherstone) ; Bellerne (Holland) ; near Graaffreinet 
(Bolus, 577) ; Boschberg (MacOwan). 
Kaff. — Winterberg (E. and Z.) ; Witbergen (Kunze) ; Broughton, 
Molteno (Flanagan, 1677). 
Natal. — Mooi River only (Wood, Buchanan). 
Rhodesia. — Limestone caves at Sinoia, Lo Magundi, Hanyani River 
(H. M. Hole). 
57. Asplenium platyneuron (Linn.) Oakes. 
Plate 45. Fig. 1. Nat. size of small plant, b Pinna. 
Crown tufted or procumbent, slightly paleaceous. Frond 
lanceolate, three to fifteen inches long, one-half to one and 
a half inches broad, not proliferous, simply pinnate, tapering 
to the point, and with the lower pinnae approximate and 
