1(5 
FERNS OF NATAE. 
straw-coloured, frond tripartite i.e. each of the lower pair of pinnae are 
equal in size to the whole of the frond above it; the ultimate segments are 
linear, oblong, sometimes pinnatifid, and serrated where barren; decurrent 
at the base, pointed and toothed at the apex, the terminal ones alternate ; 
sori copious along the sides of segments ; lowermost veins, only, anasto- 
mosing, remainder forked and free. 
Found by Rev. J. Buchanan, at Intshanga, and in the Zulu Country, 
and by Mr. W. Todd, near Biggarsberg. 
Section Litobuochta. 
(lithos, a stone; brocha, spots, areolae like pavement). 
P. incisa, 
(incisus, a natural indentation). 
This fern, like the last, has a subterranean creeping rhizome, its fronds 
are often 4 to (5 feet long, and bi- or tri-pinnate ; the stipes and rachis 
straw-coloured and naked ; the uppermost pinme, simply pinnate, with 
linear oblong pinnules; the lower ones pinnate at the base, pinnatifid 
towards the centre, and ending in a linear entire apex, the lowest often 
large and compound; sori continuous, often reaching the point of the 
segments ; veins and venules more or less anastomosing. 
It is found in shady places under bush, Krantzkloof, through Inanda 
to Noodsberg. 
LOMARIA, 
( loma , a border, in allusion to the indusium). 
A genus containing about 40 species, which are almost confined to the 
Southern Hemisphere. The are known 1st. by their free veins, 2nd: by 
their fronds which are of two kinds, the fertile ones being much contracted. 
3rd. by their linear continuous sori, on a broadish receptacle occupying 
nearly the whole, under surface of the contracted fertile fronds, 4th. by 
their nearly marginal indusium, which opens along its inner side. The 
genus is divided into two Sections, our species all belonging to the 
Section Eu-Lotnaria, the other Section, Plagioyyria not being represented 
in Natal. 
Pinnce of barren frond not distinctly separated from each other 
Caudex upright discolor. 
Rhiz. horizontal attenuata. 
Central pinnce of barren frond distinctly separate from each other 
Pinnae cordate or auricled, reduced gradually punctulata. 
„ pointed at apex, veins conspicuous procera. 
„ rounded „ „ indistinct Boryana. 
L. discolor. 
“Caud. stout; st. 3-6 in. long, black, glossy, densely clothed at the base 
“with long dark scales, frond 1-3 ft. long, barren one 4-6 in. broad, 
•• narrowed gradually at the base; pinnae numerous, spreading, contiguous, 
“linear, 2-3 in. long, £ in. broad, cut down very nearly to the rachis, 
“ narrowed suddenly towards the point, margin wavy; texture coriaceous ; 
“ veins prominent, close, subparallel : fertile pinnae narrower and shorter, 
“rachis naked, usually reddish black in the fertile frond.” It is very- 
similar to L. attenuata, but usually larger, the fronds forming an elegant 
crown, red brown below, the pinnules narrower. The Synopsis Filicum, from 
which the above description is taken, states, that the “pinnules of the 
“ fertile frond are often leafy at the base,” and wm have frequently found 
this in L. procera. It is found at Nottingham and Drakensberg. 
