24 
FERNS OF NATAL. 
outline, and again divided into linear pinnules which are lobed at the outer 
edge, those nearest the rachis much the largest and again pinnatifid, the 
pinnae in the centre of the frond are the largest, the frond ending at the 
apex in a pinnatifid point, and the pinnae at the base being usually less 
than half the size of those in the centre of the frond ; the sori are linear 
and near the margin, and the indusium opens along the outer edge. It 
is generally gemmiferous. 
Section Athyrium, 
( athyros , opened, indusium like an open door). 
A. Felix-fcemina, Lady Fern. 
Stipes tufted, 6 — 12 in. long. Arm, erect, straw-colored or brownish, 
scaly below ; frond 1—3 feet long, 6 — 12 inches broad, oblong lanceolate 
with numerous pinnae, the lower ones spreading, lanceolate, 3--6 inches lg., 
1 — 1£ in. broad, cut down to a compressed winged rachis into lanceolate or 
ovate rhomboidal pinnules, which are again deeply inciso-pinnatifid ; 
texture thinly herbaceous ; rachis naked, slender ; veins pinnate in the 
lobes ; sori linear oblong, the lower ones often curved. 
This Fern has just been found by Rev. J. Buchanan in a small ravine 
on the very top of the Drakensberg, he says of it that it is “very like A. 
“ Schimperi but cut somewhat more finely, without any pink tint in its 
“ rachis, and with a perfectly upright rhizome.” 
A. Schimperi. 
This Fern is in the Synopsis Filicum classed as a variety of A.Filix-faemina, 
it has a creeping rhizome, firmer texture, and when fresh the stipes and 
rachis are delicately tinted with pink, and with care in the drying this color 
may be in a great measure preserved. It is found in the upper districts 
of the Colony, and also in Abyssinia. Judging from the specimens we 
have seen it appears sufficiently distinct from A. Filix-foemina to be 
considered a separate species, but as we have not seen it growing, we 
speak with diffidence. 
A, aspidioides. 
This is one of the most elegant of our Natal ferns, its fronds sometimes 
attain a length of 3 feet or more; they are succulent, and delicate in 
texture, the stipes is naked, the frond ovate or triangular in outline, and 
3 times pinnate, the pinnae are lanceolate, and like the frond itself end in 
an attenuated pinnatifid point, the pinnules are numerous, lanceolate, and 
again divided nearly to the rachis into oblong or ovate segments, which 
are sharply toothed at the upper and outer edge, texture thinly herbaceous; 
the sori are small but plentiful, the lower ones generally curved ; rachis 
straw-like, when dry; color of frond dark-green; veins conspicuous, 
pinnate, forked, and one carried into each tooth: it is fouud in very wet 
shady places from Inanda, inland. 
DIDYMOCHLA5NA, 
( didymos , double ; clilcena , a cloak or covering, the indusium being 
apparently double). 
A genus distinguished, by its free veins, and oblong sori covered with 
an indusium, which is attached longitudinally along its centre to an 
elevated receptacle, and is free all round the edge. 
L. lunulata, 
A fine subarborescent fern, it has an erect caudex, with bipinnate fronds; 
the pinnules which are jointed to the rachis, are oblong in general outline, 
