Descriptions of the Species. 
i6 5 
rachis and stipe very paleaceous, with laciniated scales half-inch 
long. Secondary rachises also scaly. Pinnae lanceolate, one and 
a half to two inches broad, with numerous, approximate, one-sided 
pinnules, three-quarters to one inch long, three to five lines broad 
at the base, shortly stalked at the lower corner ; inner edge 
parallel with the rachis, entire ; upper edge and the rounded end 
toothed. Pinnules jointed to the rachis ; veins sub-flabellate. 
Sori as described for the genus. A curious plant somewhat 
resembling some of the Adiantums in the form of its pinnules. 
D. lunuiata. Desv. Ann. Linn. VI. 282 ; Kze. Fil. I. 203 ; Wood, 
Natal Ferns, 24 ; Hk. and Bkr. Syn. Fil. 248. 
D. dimidiata. Kze. Linnaea, 18.122 ; Pappe and Rawson, 15. 
D. lunuiata, Desv., var. dimidiata. Kuhn, Fil. Afr. 157. 
Aspidium truncatulum. Sw. Willd. 
Tropical America, East Indies, Africa, and African islands. 
Natal. — Moist places in bush ; midland districts, Inanda inland (Wood), 
Maritzburg, Umpumulo, 2000 to 3000 feet (Buchanan), near Togela 
River (Gueinzius). 
Genus XXI. — Aspidium. R. Br. 
Sori round, with a central stalk supporting the circular peltate 
indusium, which covers the capsules. This is a large and widely 
distributed genus, containing several natural groups of diverse 
habit, and closely connected with Nephrodium, but distinguished 
by the orbicular indusium. 
Synopsis of the species. 
§ Veins free (Polystichum Roth.). 
94. A. aculeatum, var. pungens. Two -pinnate or casually three- 
pinnatifid. Pinnae lanceolate, not increasing in breadth at the base ; 
scales brown. 
95. A. luctuosum. Two-pinnate or casually three-pinnatifid. Pinnae 
lanceolate, increasing in breadth to the base ; scales long, nearly 
black. 
