SECT. VI. THE CAUDEX. 280 



of strong threads, each surrounded with a proper 

 bark or covering of a brown colour and membra- 

 naceous contexture, and extending throughout the 

 whole length both of the stipe and rachis. 



If the stipe of Pteris aquilina or Common Brake Pteris 

 is taken, and divided by a transverse section to- &(] 

 wards the base, it will be found to consist of an 

 epidermis or bark, enclosing a solid pulp ; and to 

 exhibit upon the surface of the section a number of 

 clusters or circular spots, of a darker colour than 

 the rest, but not so arranged as to be reducible to 

 any very definite figure. Their aggregate appear- 

 ance however, upon an oblique section has been 

 thought by Linnaeus to bear a resemblance to the 

 eagle of the Roman standard, sufficiently correct 

 to entitle the species to the trivial name of aquilina, 

 though it cannot be said that the likeness is any 

 thing very striking. But the transverse section 

 exhibits a likeness that is perhaps more so, namely, 

 that of an Oak-tree in full leaf; a likeness that has 

 been recognized at least by the peasantry of this 

 country, among whom it is designated by the name 

 of King Charles Oak. 



If the stipe or stem of the Date Palm is taken And the 

 and divided by a transverse section, it will be 

 found to consist of an epidermis enclosing a pulpy 

 and solid mass ; and to exhibit over the whole sur- 

 face of the section a great number of black spots 

 dispersed without any regular order upon a white 

 ground, larger in the centre, and smaller in the 



VOL. i. u 



