THE COMMON BRAKES, 
ot to variations of outline а 
1 division, as well as of vestiture, but the variations are of 
litle im 
tance. The nature of the membrane which is found lying beneath the sori, at least in ti 
fully fructitied fronds, has not been well explained. It would indeed seem that the lir 
lie between two unequal membranes naturally projected outwards from the mar 
4 receptacle (the 
fructification having so far somo resemblance to that of Zindsæa), the rovolution of the margin, however 
actually bringing the smaller of these membranes beneat! 
while û 
ther lies over the spore-eases as a 
cover. "This latter must be re 
ited as the true indusium, while the fo 
is probably of the nature 
of an accessory indusium 
‘Tho Bracken is not an ornamental plant, in t 
е usual sense of the expression ; inde 
small rockeries, it is rather weedy than ornamental, Nevertheless there are situations in which it may 
be cultivated with advantage. Thus, for example, it may be grown for ornament about the margins of 
that class of plantations which skirt approach roads or screen unsightly objects; and it may also be 
used with advantage for the purp 
f affording shelter, or cover in the more open pi 
parks and paddocks, There has been an impression that the Peris is difficult to transplant successfully 
this impression may, with probability, be traced to 
tatemont, long since made, by Sir J. E. Smith, 
is effect. If however, the subterrancous horizontal rhizome is dug up in winter, with 
injury, and 
planted with 
inary care, there is little risk of failure. "The plant is not at all particular as to во 
except that it seems to avoid chalk, though no doubt a deep sandy loam is most congenial to it 
‘There are few varieties of tho Bracken as yet discovered ; these few are as follow :— 
1. integerrima (М). "The peculiarity of this form consi 
з in the comparative entirety of the 
secondary pinnules (pinnulets) ; these, instead of being mostly and 
ply pinnati 
d, are nearly all 
quite entire, or here and there only one or two of the basal ones are slightly crenato-lobate, It is no 
uncommon, and probably merges into the pinnatifid form, but many plants and patches of plants ar 
ing this peculiarity in a striking degree, There is also a young form of this variety in 
found pos 
Which the primary pinnae are deltoid, and the pinnules of the seco 
dary pinnæ sessile, very broad, and 
regularly erenate, having something of the appearance of Litobrochie vespertilionis, It is not 
2. обра (W). There are two forms of this variety, the divis ling with the 
ns of both correspor 
the pinnulets 
entire undulate and reflexed, as in Athyrium Filiz-fæmina rhæticum ; the other has them erenate and 
corrugately waved, as in Scolopendrium vulgare crispum. Tt is not an uncommon, but a local variety 
multifida (W.). "This, in its best condition, is a rather unusual form of the plant, and like many 
other varieties bearing this name, is only sub-permanent: with this exeeption it is analogous to the 
Athyrium Filiz-fæmina multifidum. There are two sub-forms of it: one, in which the apex of the frond 
and the apices of most of the primary pinnas are multifdly-erisped ; the other in which the apex of the 
the primary pinnee aro rarely multifid, but the apices of the secondary pinne (pinnules) and 
ap 
ad. Many localities produce ono or other of these forms ; the most 
many of the pinnulets are affected in 
a near Ottery St, Mary 
у 
marked of tho former aro from near Chislehurst, Kent, and of the latter fr 
n Devo 
received the former fro 
and Mr. C, Jackson ; and the 
Devon, both found by Mr. Wollaston, We have al 
hered by Miss Wilkins 
М. Chanter, and from Guernsey 
has been found by Mr. В, O. Gray in Cobham Park, Kent, and also by Mr, Chanter in Devonshire 
4. depanperata (УГ). This Me. Wollaston describes аз а most curiously depaupera 
ast, but non-permanent as regards this stato, and only sub-permanent as regards its multifid stat 
respond with those of multifidum, but 
novertheless deserving of record, Tho divisions of the frond 
ss of the primary pinnas, and th 
attenuated and occa: 
m 
the secondary pinna» are all decurrent, depauperat 
ton, and at Bowness, in Cumberland 
been found in two woods near Chislehurst, Kent, by Mr. W 
by Mr. Wood. 
