68 
The Ferns of South Africa. 
base, and with a stout stipe nine to fifteen inches long, which is 
abundantly paleaceous below, and more or less clothed upward, 
as are also the rachis and frond, with fibrillose black scales or 
hairs. The fronds, and also the pinnae, taper gradually and 
regularly from a broad base to the rather attenuated tip. Pinnae 
sub-opposite, one to one and a half inches broad at the base 
lowest pinnule on the upper side larger than others, parallel with 
the rachis, and often deeply pinnatifid or pinnate ; other pinnules 
lobed or sharp toothed, and with a bristle point directed upward. 
Sori small, very abundant. 
This is quite a distinct species, and does not vary at all ; 
always growing beside streams in deep shade, and often in com- 
pany with A. aculeatum, var. pungens, but without any 
intermediates. 
Aspidium luctuosum. Kze. Linnsea, 10.548; Buchanan’s List. No. 79. 
Polystichum luctuosum. Pappe and Rawson, 14 ; Moore’s Index, 95. 
Aspidium aculeatum, Sw., var. luctuosum, Hk. and Bkr. Syn. Fil. 252 ; 
Wood, Natal Ferns, 25 ; Lady Barkly’s List, No. 95. 
South Africa only ; nowhere common. 
East. — Bedford (Atherstone), Boschberg (MacOwan). 
Kaff. — Phillipstown (E. and Z.), Katberg (Holland), Perie Mission 
Station, Sage’s Bush, Frankfort, &c. 
Natal. — Maritzburg and Nottingham, 3000 to 4000 feet alt. (Buchanan), 
upper districts (Wood). 
96. Aspidium capense. Willd. 
Plate XCI. Lower pinnae, nat. size. 
Rhizome creeping, six to eighteen inches long, one inch 
diameter, often epiphytal on trees, shaggy, with long yellow scales. 
Fronds deltoid, rather distant, coriaceous, three-pinnate, one to 
three feet long, one to two feet broad, and with a stout stipe, which 
is densely paleaceous below, and with scattered ovate scales 
upward. Lower pinnae largest, deltoid, stalked ; with stalked, 
