EAGLE FERN. 75 



and brittle. Each frond appears singly, and the 

 growth of the plant is the reverse of being tufted. 

 The root attains a very large size in a favourable soil, 

 and Mr. Newman says he has found them buried as 

 low as fifteen feet. The plant spreads very rapidly, 

 and in some places acres of land are covered by it. 

 The fronds turn brown at the first approach of frost, 

 and decay away in the winter. The stem being hard 

 and tough, and deeply buried in the earth, is not 

 easily rooted up ; but when cut across, presents on the 

 two divided surfaces the figure of an Oak Tree, or, as 

 some fancy, a Spread Eagle ; hence its specific name. 



Although one of our commonest ferns, this plant is 

 not luxuriant on chalky soil, but in sandy and stony 

 districts it is most abundant, and by its handsome 

 feathery fronds and rich green appearance, adds 

 greatly to the scenic effect of many a rural district. 

 It forms a hiding-place for game ; and the fern- 

 coverts are well known to sportsmen, and are cele- 

 brated in song : 



"The wild buck bells from ferny brake." 



The economical uses of this fern are many. As a 

 manure it is largely consumed in some places ; and in 

 the western parts of Scotland is a profitable source of 

 alkaline ashes for the glass and soap-maker. As a 

 litter for horses, it is in great request in some parts of 

 Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. The stalks are used as 

 material for thatching, and this seems to be a very 

 ancient practice, as early as the year 1349. In the 

 Forest of Dean, pigs are fed upon the fronds. A 



