PREFACE BY THE CONTRIBUTOR. 
The classification and descriptions in the following pages, containing an enu- 
oration of the Ferns of Natal, have been principally extracted from the 
•Synopsis Filicum,” by the late Sir William Jackson Hooker and Mr. John 
ilbert Baker, published in 1868. 
As botanical names take precedence according to the date of their publication, 
e oldest names only are given, in accordance with the suggestion made in De 
ndolle’s recently-published “ Laws of Botanical Nomenclature.” 
The object now in view, is to encourage the growing desire at present evinced 
many of our young colonists to acquaint themselves with the science of Pteri- 
logy, so that they may be induced, not only to admire the structure of our 
autiful ferns, but to study something of their affinities. The late Dr. W. H. 
ii'vey truly said of persons interested in botany, and others who could not but 
mire the many beautiful (lowers scattered over the country — “ that a little 
Tipathy and encouragement are often all that are wanting to make botanists 
them.” 
The habitats and localities given are where the plants described have actually 
?n collected by the Rev. John Buchanan, Mr. John Sanderson, Dr. Cattell, 
ark J. McKen, and W. T. G-errard. 
M. J. McK. 
Port Natal, South Africa, 1st January, 1869. 
AST OF ABBREVIATIONS OF WORDS OF FREQUENT OCCUR- 
RENCE IN THE FOLLOWING PAGES. 
BOTANICAL TERMS. 
wd.=caudex, from which arises the frond or stipes. 
= stipes (plural, stipites), which supports the frond. 
.= fro nd or fronds. 
pinnule or pinnules. 
>o?.=involucre, by many botanists called indusium. 
?ep.— receptacle, that which bears the sori or capsules ; prominent in most 
cyatheas ; elongated and columnar, or even bristle-shaped, in Hyinenopliyl- 
lum and Triehomanes. 
os. =. capsule or capsules. 
. 'm.= segment, segments, or lobes — often used indifferently; but a segment 
generally indicates a deeper or more elongated lobe. 
m. — primary, or first division of a compoundly pinnate or pinnatified frond; 
thus, prim. div. or prim, pinna or piunl. 
oncl .— secondary ; the second principal division, or pinna of a frond. 
'.=i Ultimate. 
i b. — habitat and locality, indicating where the species is to be found. 
