THE WOODS IN AUTUMN 



241 



of the prothalli, small leaf-like fronds are developed, which 

 will, however, not attain their full size until they are several 

 years old. When they are mature, they again produce the 



FIG. 45. BRAKE, OR BRACKEN. Pteris aqmlina. 



A part of the frond, much reduced ; to the left a small piece of the frond 

 seen from below, about natural size. 



masses of green spores. For various reasons your prothalli 

 are not very likely to develop leafy fronds, but they may, 

 if you keep them ]om? enough and if they are not too 



