26 WAYSIDE AND WOODLAND FERNS. 



circular in outline, that of the Bracken more closely resembles 

 the shepherd's crook, a form that is better adapted for pushing 

 through the earth (Plate 20). The fronds appear in May, and 

 it is no uncommon thing for them to be quite spoiled by late 

 frosts. They expand slowly, giving time to the great length of 

 stipes and rachis to harden before too great a strain is put upon 

 it by the spread-out pinnae. Then, the side branches of the 

 rachis unroll in pairs, so as to maintain the symmetry and 

 equilibrium of the frond (Plate 22). At first these branches 

 appear to be too remote from each other for beauty, but when 

 the pinnules have unrolled, the pinnae each large enough for 

 an entire frond slightly overlap, and the appearance of the 

 fully expanded frond is fine indeed (Plates 21, 24). 



The fully developed Bracken frond is of triangular shape 

 and a rather leathery consistence. When growing in exposed 

 situations it becomes quite harsh to the touch, but in the woods 

 it is no harder than that of the Male Fern. In height it may 

 be anything from a couple of feet to nine feet. It has been 

 recorded as long as twelve feet (E. J. Lowe), but the usual 

 height is four or five feet, of which the stipes will account for 

 about two-fifths. It is normally thrice pinnate, occasionally 

 four times. The pinnae are opposite, and the expanse of the 

 lowest pair is almost equal to the entire length of the leafy por- 

 tion of the frond. The pinnules are alternate, and very deeply 

 cut pinnately, so deeply that they are at times quite pinnate. 

 The stout stipes is very dark towards the base purple deepen- 

 ing to black with a slightly raised line down each side, which 

 has the power of cutting like a razor-edge when drawn through 

 the hand. 



The sori form a continuous line along the margin of the 

 pinnules on the back of the frond, the indusium being con- 

 tinuous with the edge of the pinnule. The produce of a single 

 frond is enormous, but the best idea of the profusion of spores 

 may be obtained in August or September by walking through a 



