Hand-book of the Ferns of Kaffraria

Abstract

THIS little book contains popular descriptions and outline plates of the ferns of Kaffraria, with a chapter of definitions of the botanical terms used in describing ferns, and another giving directions how to cultivate them. The Cape, considering the general interest and remarkable individuality of its phanerogamic flora is very poor in ferns. Kaffraria yields only 68 species, about the same number as Great Britain. Amongst them are two tree ferns, a Cyathea and a Hemitelia, and several herbaceous species of a distinctly subtropical type, such as Vittaria lineata and Marattia fraxinea. Associated with these are several species with which we are familiar at home, such as Aspidium aculeatum, Cystopteris fragilis, and Adiantum Capillus-Veneris. No doubt by further exploration the list will be considerably increased. The author does not scem to have known anything about the Rev. R. Baur, a Moravian missionary who made large collections of ferns and other plants in Transkeian Kaffraria. The two new species which Mr. Sim claims to have added to the Cape flora cannot be admitted as novelties. Blechnum remotum is a variety of the American B. hastatum, which I do not think can stand as distinct specifically from the common Cape B. australe. The plant figured as Lomaria lanceolata on Plate 25 is no doubt Lomaria inflexa of Kunze, which was gathered long ago in the colony, by Gueinzius, and is beautifully figured by Kunze from specimens which he forwarded. By the aid of this book there can be no difficulty, even to an amateur, in recognizing any of the Kaffrarian species; and perhaps at some future time Mr. Sim, who was trained at Kew, will extend his area so as to cover the whole colony, for which the total number of ferns known is between 130 and 140.

Hand-book of the Ferns of Kaffraria.

By T. R. Sim, Curator of the Botanic Garden, King Williamstown, South Africa. 66 pages, 63 plates. (Aberdeen: Taylor and Henderson, 1891.)