14 
FERNS 0* NATAL. 
PTERIS, 
f pteryx, a wing or feather). 
A widely distributed genus, containing nearly 100 species, which are 
divided into 6 Sections, 4 of which are represented in Natal. The genus 
is recognised, Lst, by its linear and marginal fruit, 2nd. by its marginal 
indusium of the same form, and 3rd, by its continuous receptacle which 
joins the veins round the margin of tbe frond. The Section Eu-Pteris 
has free veins. The Section Campteria is distinguished by having the 
lowermost pairs of veins united so as to form a series of areolae or 
spaces near the costa. The Section Litobrochia has compoundly anas- 
tomosing venation, without any free veinlets, best seen near apex of 
pinn®, in this respect agreeing with Lonchitis, but differing from it by 
having continuous marginal sori. The Section Pcesia is known by its 
double indusium, thus approaching closely to Lindsaya. The Sections 
Doryopteris and Amphiblestra are not represented in Natal. The genus is 
represented in both tropical and temperate regions, though most plentiful 
in the former. 
Simply pinnate, pinnae numerous 
„ „ 2 to 6 pairs 
Bi- to tri-pinnate, fertile segments entire or nearly so 
„ „ „ toothed at apex ... 
,’ „ „ indusium large ... 
Quadripinnate, coriaceous 
Rhizome creeping, barren segments serrate 
,, ,, ,, ,, entiic 
longifolia 
cretica. 
quadnaurita. 
fiabellata. 
tremula. 
aquilina. 
Buchanani. 
incisa. 
Section Eu-Pteris. 
(Eu, good). 
Veins free, fronds tufted, indusium single. 
P. longifolia. 
A fern which has a wide range of distribution, being common both in 
the Tropics and North Temperate Zone ; it is very hardy and easy to 
cultivate, and is found growing and flourishing in situations where most 
ferns would wither and die. In his Revised List lately published Mr. 
Buchanan says, that “ il grows very fine in the fumes of a hot sulphurous " 
“ spring at luhlimbiti, “ Smith says that ” on an island in the Bay of” 
“ Naples, it is found luxuriating within the influence of the hot vapours” 
“ rising out of cavities left by extinct volcanoes, growing in soft muddy” 
‘‘soil at a temperature ranging from 140 ° to 130, ° he also says that it ” 
“ has been found “under iron gratings” where it could receive little” 
“ light, and where the temperature is often near the freezing point, and in ” 
“ the dry air of the cactus house, it has produced fronds, from 2 to 3 feet ” 
“ long.” ! It is simply pinnate, with 20 to 30 pairs of short stalked, 
pinnae, which are linear, entire, pointed at the apex, cordate at the base 
and 4 to 6 inches long ; the veins are forked and plainly visible on both 
sides, sori broad and continuous. It is found in several places in the 
Colonjs but is not common, the only places where we have gathered it 
are near Verulam, and at Umlaas. 
P. cretica. 
A fern found in the up-country districts, usually in dry places. It is 
simply pinnate, and has usually 2-6 opposite, sessile, pairs of pinme, the 
upper one sometimes a little decurrent or running down the stalk, the 
barren ones much the broadest, and conspicuously toothed ; the lower pair 
