316 
THE FERNS OF SOUTH AFRICA 
Var. CAPENSIS (A. Br.) Sim. 
Plate 172. Fig. 4. Nat. size. 
Rhizome short jointed, with branches producing numerous 
leaves and capsules ; the leaves on petioles four to six inches 
long. Leaflets cuneate, rounded at the point or slightly 
emarginate, almost glabrous, half inch long, two lines broad. 
Capsules oblong-oval, one to one and a half lines long, one 
line broad, horizontal, slightly pointed at the lower corner, and 
only shortly adnate to the stipe, which is two lines long. 
M. capensis A. Br. Baker, Fern Allies, 144; Kuhn, Fil. Afr. 198; 
Sim, Ferns of S. Afr., 1st ed., 259. 
. M. quadrifolia, var. / 3 . Kunze, Linn. 10, 555. 
M. villosa. Burchell (leaves densely silky). 
Common in Kaflraria in pools where the water is not 
constant. 
“Uitenhage (E. and Z.; Alexander, 50); Olifants River (Mund and 
Maire); Kurree (Mund and Maire, Drege, Zeyher); Natal (Robert- 
son, 472 ),” fide Kuhn; Lovedale (W. G. B. 727). 
Natal. — Near Fox Hill, Maritzburg, Little Noodsberg, Durban Flat, 
Caedmore (Buchanan). 
Rhodesia. — Matopo Hills, Malmani River (Miss Gibbs, 289); Cunene 
River marshes at Houmbe to Fort Rosadas, Angola (Dr H. H. W. 
Pearson). 
Var. DISSECTA Sim. 
Plate 172. Fig. 5. 
Leaves on petioles four to six inches long ; leaflets one- 
half inch long and wide, deeply four-lobed, the lobes linear 
and rounded at the apex. 
Uitenhage (R. Schlechter, 2536; distributed as M. biloba). 
Var. LOBATA Sim. 
Plate 172. Fig. 6. 
A vigorous plant six inches high; leaves three-quarter to 
one and a half inches across I nearly glabrous ; the lobes 
cuneate, four-lobed, one to two lines long ; petioles pu- 
bescent, slender ; crown stout, set with brown scales. Capsules 
very large, pubescent. 
Bulawayo, 4500 ft, June (Eyles, 26). 
