CHAPTER VI. 



u 



He orders the wind to sweep over the Brakes, 

 Which rise and recoil like the billows of ocean ; 

 At His breath the leaf of the Maiden-hair shakes 

 With the Aspen's tender and quivering motion. 

 He dresses Osmunda in stately array, 

 The Filmy-Fern covers with warm leafy shade, 

 The Bristle-Fern frond He baptizes with spray, 

 For o'er all creation His grace is display' d." 



HERE are very few localities where we need seek 

 the common Brake in vain (Pteris aquilina, 

 Plate IV., Jig. 1). In our Yorkshire rambles 

 we found it in wood, and pasture, and moor. Sometimes 

 its fronds were scarcely a foot high, at other times they 

 rose to four or five feet. The roots 

 grow very deep into the ground, 

 which makes it very difficult to 

 eradicate; but frequent mowing 

 will kill it in progress of time. The 

 rachis is only branched for about 

 half its length : it is very strong 



and tough. The branches spread widely, and are set with 

 pinnae of a firm texture. The spore-masses are placed in 

 a line upon the under margin of the leaflets, and covered 

 by the rolled-in edge. When the fronds decay they form 

 good manure, especially for potatoes. Sometimes this 



PTERIS. 



