6 
The Ferns of South Africa. 
vein to which the capsules are attached is known as the receptacle , 
which in a few cases projects beyond the substance of the frond, 
and in a few others is sunk into it. The capsule is a roundish cell, 
sometimes tapering downward into a stalk (Plate V., Fig. d.), and 
in all our ferns except Ophioglossum it is surrounded by an elastic 
jointed ring which in some is placed horizontally, and in others 
vertically, but in all it seems to assist in opening the capsules for 
the exit of the spores. 
Spores are minute dust-like germs, from which young ferns of 
the same kind are produced in the manner explained in the next 
chapter. 
Besides the above there are several other appendages, such as 
scales, hairs, glands, and woolly tomentum, which, though of less 
use to the plant, are of considerable value to us as a means of 
identification. The other terms used in the descriptions are ex- 
plained in the glossary at the end of the book, and the parts of the 
allied plants are, in each case, explained in the description. 
