4 
The Ferns of South Africa. 
PARTS OF FERNS. 
THE component parts of a fern differ considerably, both in for- 
mation and in purpose, from those of a flowering plant, and 
to avoid confusion distinctive names are applied to them. Very 
many different terms are in use, but as it is more useful to thoroughly 
understand one set of words, and adhere strictly to them, than to 
wander through the whole category, the terms here explained are 
those used in the descriptive pages following, and they are used 
only in the sense here explained. 
A fern consists of roots, stem, and fronds, and the more 
minute parts situated upon these. 
Roots are either wiry, or like very fine hair ; always present, 
but affording us almost no characters, and therefore they require 
to be carefully distinguished from the rhizomes, which are always 
characteristic. 
Stem. — The stem in what are known as tree ferns is erect, and 
several feet high, bearing the fronds at its summit ; but a much 
more frequent form is for the stem to be prostrate on, or under, 
the ground, when it is known as a rhizome. 
The rhizome may be stout and short, or, as in the Bracken, 
very widely creeping, slender, and sometimes branched. In some 
it is underground, in others creeping on the surface, and in others 
creeping over tree trunks. The fronds are sometimes scattered 
along the rhizome, and sometimes clustered at the growing point 
only — which is then known as the crown. 
Some ferns have almost no rhizome, but the crown only, stand- 
ing erect, like an undeveloped tree stem. In a few cases the 
fronds are jointed on to the rhizome, but most frequently the tis- 
sues of the stem and frond run gradually into one another without 
any joint. 
