i;8 
THE FERNS OF SOUTH AFRICA 
as sub-genera. It includes 135 species, scattered all over the 
tropical and temperate zones, and even beyond. 
Synopsis of the species : 
Sub-genus 1. Lomaria. Sori occupying the whole under side of the 
contracted fertile pinnae, except the mid-rib, and covered by a 
continuous, marginal or almost marginal indusium. Fertile fronds 
usually distinct. 
§ Pinnae of barren frond attached to the mid-rib along the whole of 
its widened base. 
85. B.inflexum. Barren frond one foot long ; fertile frond six to 
nine inches long, one inch broad. 
86. B. attenuatum. Both barren and fertile fronds three to five 
feet long, eight to ten inches broad at the middle. 
§§ Pinnae of barren frond narrowed to the base or stalked. 
87. B . punctulatum. Pinnae numerous, the lower gradually much 
reduced ; rhizome sub-erect. 
Var. Atherstoni. Sori close to and parallel with the mid-rib; 
indusium straight as in Eu-Blechnum. 
Var. intermedium* Sori close to the mid-rib, but diverging 
from it, and indusium interrupted. 
Var. Krebsii. Sori medial, two meeting face to face, as in Sco- 
lopendrium. 
88. B. capense. Lower pinnae not reduced ; rhizome creeping. 
89. B. tabulare. Lower pinnae not much reduced, caudex erect, 
tree-like, several feet high. 
Sub-genus 2. Eu-blechnum. Sori parallel with the mid-rib and the 
margin ; placed about halfway between them ; continuous, and with 
indusium opening inward. 
90. B. australe. Rachis and frond destitute of glandular hairs. 
91. B. auriculatum. Rachis and frond densely covered with very 
short, glandular hairs. 
85. Blechnum inflexum (Kunze) Kuhn. 
Plate 74. Nat. size, b Fertile pinna, magnified. 
Crown three to four inches long, one inch diameter, sub- 
erect, densely clothed with dark brown, lanceolate scales. 
Fronds simply pinnate. Barren fronds twelve inches long, 
one to one and a half inches broad, lanceolate, and tapering 
gradually to both ends. Rachis destitute of scales, except 
