DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SPECIES 
255 
P. serrulata Forsk. is according to Kuhn our P. dentata, 
and P. serrulata Pappe appears to be our P. Buchanani\ both 
very distinct from P. serrulata L., but both Natal plants, 
and possibly the cross naming may account for the above 
locality. See Lady Barkly’s list, page 194, no. 56.) 
143. Pteris dentata Forsk. 
Plate 129. Frond reduced, b Barren pinnules, nat. size, c Fertile 
pinnules, nat. size, d Unusual form. 
Crown erect or procumbent, paleaceous. Fronds of mature 
plants two to three-pinnate, deltoid, glabrous, two to four feet 
long, one and a half to three feet broad, on a strong, angular, 
slightly villose stipe, one to three feet long, and having a few 
scattered scales toward the base only. Pinnae eight to twelve 
opposite pairs, lanceolate, or simply pinnate, except the lower 
two to three pairs, which are deltoid, and have several similar 
but smaller pinnate pinnae on the lower, or on both sides, but 
longest on the lower side. Lowest pinnae often one and a 
half feet long, one foot broad at the base, with five to seven 
pairs of alternate pinnae ; those above simply pinnate on the 
upper side and toward the point, but with one to four pinnate 
pinnae on the lower side. Pinnules linear, one to two lines 
broad, one to two inches long, with abruptly decurrent base. 
Terminal pinna not different, and not much larger than others. 
Barren pinnae, and the barren points of fertile pinnae, strongly 
toothed, and wider than the fertile parts. Involucre con- 
tinuous along most of the pinnule, narrow, fringed. Veins 
all free and once forked, more distant than in P. quadriaurita. 
This splendid fern is one of the greatest ornaments of our 
forest scenery. Its light green foliage contrasts well with the 
dark foliage of the trees above, and as the fronds rise on 
stalks one to two feet long,, then spread horizontally, they 
generally show their fine outline well above the undergrowth. 
The amount of cutting varies exceedingly ; sometimes the 
lower pinnae are simply pinnate, while in other cases the lower 
two or three pairs of pinnae are very large and bi-pinnate 
for two-thirds of their length. The sori sometimes extend 
only along part of the pinnules, leaving the upper half barren 
