FERN8 OF NATAL. 
.12 
Section Niphobolus, 
(niphos, of snow ; bolus, a pill), under surface of fronds covered 
with white or grey stellate hairs. 
P. Africanum. 
This fern, our only representative of the Section, is found growing on 
perpendicular rocks, and on trees, in a few places on the Coast, but it is not 
common. The rhizome is creeping and thickly covered with large ovate 
scales ; the fronds are simple, ovate, or oblong lanceolate, from 6 to 12 in. 
long, with a very short stipes, narrowed gradually to both ends; the upper 
surface naked, dark green, the lower thickly covered with white or greyish 
stellate hairs ; veins not easily seen; sori round, irregularly spread over 
the under surface of the apex of the frond, and just visible through the 
tomentum ; texture thick, coriaceous. 
Section Phymatodes, 
(Phymata, tubercles, the sori in the typical species having the 
appearance of tubercles, when looked at from the upper surface). 
P. Schraderi, 
(In honor of Schrader a German botanist). 
This fern has a scaly, creeping rhizome, with bimple lanceolate fronds, 
the edges entire, and the fructification confined to the apex of the frond; 
the sori are large, quite round, and when fresh of a bright orange colour; 
the veins are hidden in the substance of the frond ; but the thickened 
apices of the free veinlets may be seen with the aid cf a small lens, by 
holding the frond between the eye and a strong light ; both surfaces quite 
naked. It is found on shady rocks and upon trees all over the Colony. 
P. lanceolatum. 
In general appearance this fern is very similar to the last, but it is easily 
distinguished by the fact of its being thickly covered, especially the under 
side; with small roundish scales, which are dark brown in the centre, and 
thinner and lighter colored near the edge; the sori also are much darker 
in color, large, and often reaching nearly to the edge. It is found climbing 
trees and and rocks in shady places from Inanda to Drakensberg, and 
varies considerably both in size and texture; a pinnate variety has been 
gathered in the upper districts. 
P. lycopodioides. 
Rhizome widely creeping, and thickly covered with dark brown scales ; 
the fronds are distant, simple, under 6 inches long, narrowed to both ends, 
both sides naked ; texture coriaceous ; the round sori are contained within 
the largest areolse formed by the veins, and appear as two regular lines 
one on each side of the midrib and reaching from the apex to the base of 
the frond. It is found climbing rocks and trees from the Coast as far 
inland as Inanda. 
P. Mackenii is merely a variety. 
P. normals. 
A rather rare fern, with creeping rhizome, and simple, entire, oblong, 
fronds 1 to 2 feet long, 1 to 2 inches broad ; the compoundly anastomosing 
venation is plainly visible on holding the frond between the eye and a 
strong light, and the club-shaped termination of the veinlets is then a 
marked feature. The sori are large, and in an irregular row near the 
midrib It is a native of the upper districts. 
