THE BRACKEN. 



only a few inches, when the plant is growing on 

 hard, uncongenial soil, and remains exposed to 

 the power of sun and wind, to a height of ten 

 feet, when growing in the moist, shady recesses of 

 woods and forests. The nature of the soil and 

 situation influences, too, the form and develop- 

 ment of this Fern. But describing it under its 

 usual conditions, it may be stated that the stalk 

 of the frond, of a lovely green colour, is a little 

 more than half the length of the latter, which, 

 from the point where the stalk ends, exhibits a 

 triangular appearance. But its uppermost tip 

 forms the most acute angle of the three, the 

 bottom of the frond being the shortest of its three 

 sides. Unrolling upwards, the bare stalk being 

 terminated, and the rachis the main or central 

 stem of the frond proper having commenced, on 

 each side, right and left, are thrown out in pairs 

 the side branches. These side branches continue 

 to be thrown out in pairs as the fronds unroll 

 upwards, each pair, however, diminishing in 

 length until the extreme point of the frond is 

 attained, within a short distance of which the 

 perpendicular and the lateral extensions are 



233 



