126 
The Ferns of South Africa. 
except at the base, where the upper ones widen a little, and the 
lower ones are hastate auricled, and less fertile, or often quite 
barren. Indusium continuous, at first entire, afterwards somewhat 
torn ; placed about half-way between the mid-rib and the edge, or 
in some cases near the edge ; sometimes filled with capsules to 
near the mid-rib, but often with a space between. Often in the 
lower pinnae the sori are short and separate, as in Doodia. Both 
fertile and barren pinnae in the lower half of the frond are set 
across the rachis, so that the lower auricle overlaps the front, and 
the upper auricle the back of it. Frond quite glabrous even when 
young, by which it is easily distinguished from the glandular B. 
remotum. It is often confused with Lom. punctulata, Kze., and 
as both vary in their fructification from typical Lomaria and typical 
Blechnum, that character cannot be given. In this the frond is 
generally narrower, and always narrower compared with the length, 
pinnae closer, more pointed, continued further down the stipe, and 
the rhizomes are also different. 
A form occurs in w r hich all the middle pinnae are set along 
their lower edges with four to eight tooth-like lobes, similar to the 
auricles (fig. c.), and in the fertile frond the sori extend into these 
lobes. 
This is a most changeable species, and when growing in bottom 
lands, beside a stream, assumes a luxuriant habit quite unlike the 
dwarf plant to be found creeping round stones on dry mountain 
tops. The latter is Lomaria pumila, Kze., but cannot be 
classified even as a variety, as it changes habit as soon as given 
suitable conditions. 
Blechnum australe. Linn; Thunb. Prod. 172; FI. Cap. 734; Schk. 
Fil. 103. tab. no. B. ; Schl. Adum. 38. 
Lomaria pumila. Kze., Linnoea, 10.508; 23.261. Pappe and Rawson, 
29 ; (not L. pumila, Kaulf. ; nor L. pumila, Raoul. ; Hk. and Bkr. ). 
Lomaria Dregeana. Fee. 
Blechnum hastatum. Klfs. ; Hk. Sp; III. 57 ; Lowe. Fil. IV. pi. 33. B. 
South Africa and African Islands ; in damp situations near to 
or in the forest, and among rocks up to the highest levels ; not 
uncommon. 
