FERNS OF NATAL. 13 
P. Bojeri, 
(Tn honor of Bojer a botanist of Mauritius). 
A fern the true position of which appears to be still undecided ; it has 
been for some time considered a variety of either P. consobrina or P ■ hastata 
'Some time since Mr. Buchanan called our attention to the fact that there 
were two very similar species often growing together, one with densely 
haii-y stipes, thick, and sometimes decurrent segments, and indistinct or 
hidden venation; the other with smooth naked stipes and thinner segments 
in which the venation is clearly visible. The former is evidently P. Bojeri, 
rand the latter a small variety of P. hastata. The Synopsis Filicum, 
under the head P. consobrina, says “P. Bojeri appears to be a slender form 
“with a slightly fibrillose rachis.” Our present experience would lead us 
to regard it as a distinct species, and Mr. Buchanan writes from Newcastle, 
' “I am more than ever convinced that P. Bojeri is a distinct species. I 
“find it abundant all along the road, and usually in company with 
“P . hastata but not always.” If to be regarded as a variety, it must, we 
think, be considered as one of P. hastata and not of P. consobrina. 
Section Platyloma, 
( platys , broad ; loma, a fringe or border, in allusion to the broad 
line of capsules surrounding the segment). 
P. hastata. 
(, hasta , a halbert). 
This is one of the most common and widely distributed ferns we have ; 
from the Coast to Drakensberg, in the open fields exposed to the fierce 
rays of the sun, and in the densest parts of the bush it is found in abun- 
dance, and it varies very considerably according to the situation in which 
it is found. We have observed three varieties of it growing in a garden for 
the last three years or more, which still remain as distinct as when first 
planted. The stipes, rachis and costae are black and shining, the frond 
varies from simply pinnate and oblong to bi-or tri-pinnate and triangular 
in outline ; veins forked, and plainly visible on both sides of the segments : 
which are ovate, or lanceolate, sessile or stalked, and often cordate or 
hastate ; Sori broad, soon hiding the indusium which is quite marginal, 
and best seen in the immature specimens. 
P. coJomelanos. 
Like the last species, this is a very common fern, and found from a few 
miles from the sea to the interior of the continent. It grows between and 
amongst stones, and usually exposed to the full blaze of the sun. Its 
stipes is black, wiry, and naked ; its fronds are triangular in general out- 
line, and bi- to tri-pinnate ; the segments stalked, varying much in shape, 
and so thick that the venation is altogether hidden ; color a light slaty 
green ; sori in a continuous marginal line, soon pushing back and hiding 
the narrow indusium. 
Section Holcochl^ena, 
(chlcena, a cloak,) 
P. Burkeana. Veins netted. 
(named in honor of Mr. Burke, who found it at Noodsberg). 
This fern, though not rare, is not nearly so common as the other Natal 
species of the genus. It is found in crevices of rocks under slight shade, 
its stipes and rachis is naked, flexible, and shining ; the fronds are oblong 
and simply pinnate, some of the lower pairs of pinna; are usually again 
branched, but it differs much in this respect; we have seen a plant in which 
more than half the pinnae were compound, but this is not common ; the 
segments are linear, lanceolate; the sori quite continuous, broad and 
soon hiding the indusium. 
