52 
The Ferns of South Africa. 
Natal. — Kranzkloof, Maritzburg, Noodsberg, Karkloof (M‘Ken), Umpu- 
mulo (Buch.), Midland and upper districts, plentiful (Wood). 
H. Wilsoni, Hk., differs from H. Tunbridgense in having 
pinnules on the upper side only of the pinnae, and in the involucre 
being entire. The two generally grow in company, and inter- 
mediate forms occur connecting them. In Europe they are 
regarded as distinct varieties, but I have seen nothing here 
answering to H. Wilsoni ; nor is it included by Pappe and Raw- 
son, Lady Barkly, or M‘Ken, though Kuhn includes it from Cape 
and Natal under the name of H. peltatum, Desv. ; and Buchanan 
finds it mixed with H. Tunbridgense in Natal, while the South 
African H. Meyeri, Presl., is founded on it. 
Genus III. — Trichomanes. Smith. 
Rhizome creeping, slender, matted or branched, and bearing 
pellucid tender fronds, similar in habit and texture to the 
Hymenophylla. Sori terminal on a pinnule, or sunk into its 
apex. Involucre tubular with a rim, or two lipped at the mouth, 
but not deeply divided, and having the end of the vein prolonged 
as a central receptacle, bearing capsules as far as enclosed in the 
involucre, but often having a filiform point without capsules ex- 
tending beyond. Capsules as in Hymenophyllum. The Tricho- 
manes are delicate little plants, requiring abundant moisture, but 
easily cultivated where that is obtainable. 
The genus is closely allied to Hymenophyllum, and has many 
species ; widely distributed in the warmer regions, and some 
extending into the temperate zone. 
Key to the species : — 
9. T. muscoides, var. Fronds shortly stalked, nearly entire, or bluntly 
lobed ; involucre sunk in the frond. 
(T. digitatum. Fronds stalked, deeply divided into linear ciliated 
segments ; involucre sunk in the frond). 
10. T. pusillum. Fronds almost sessile, irregularly pinnatifid, slightly 
ciliated ; involucre not sunk. 
11. T. pyxidiferum. Frond three pinnatifid, rachis winged above. 
12. T. rigidum. Frond three to four pinnatifid ; rachis not winged, or 
winged only at the summit. 
