Preface. 
iii 
In connection with the distribution of species it may be 
remarked here, that localities which are now in the 
Transvaal have, by Sanderson and others, been marked 
“ Natal,” before the Transvaal existed, and that some con- 
fusion has been caused thereby ; also, that “ the Cape ” is 
occasionally given for localities which are now outside 
Cape Colony. 
Among those who have given great assistance, my best 
thanks are due to W. T. Thistleton Dyer, Esq., C.M.G., 
F.R.S., F.L.S., Director of the Royal Gardens, Kew ; and 
J. G. Baker, Esq., F.R.S., F.L.S., Keeper of the Herbarium 
there, for the specimens already mentioned, and for notes 
on other South African Ferns as represented in the Kew 
Herbarium ; to Prof. MacOwan, B.A., F.L.S., Botanist to 
the Agricultural Department, and Curator of the Govern- 
ment Herbarium, Cape Town ; and Dr. Schonland, F.L.S., 
Curator of Albany Museum, Grahamstown, for kind 
assistance while examining the Herbaria in their charge ; 
to H. Bolus, Esq., F.L.S., for the use of his splendid 
Herbarium and Library ; to J. M. Wood, Esq., A.L.S., 
Curator of Durban Botanic Garden, and of Natal Govern- 
ment Herbarium, for a fine set of specimens of Natal ferns ; 
to H. G. Flanagan, Esq., Komgha, for a similar set of the 
ferns' of his district ; and to all the other Ladies and 
Gentlemen who have assisted with specimens, most of 
whom are mentioned on pages 20 and 22 ; also, to John 
Roy, Esq., LL.D. ; and John Bulloch, Esq., both of Aber- 
deen, Scotland, for most kindly seeing this work through 
the press in my absence, as they previously did my 
“ Handbook of Kaffrarian Ferns.” Thanks arc also due to 
