THE BRACKEN. 71 



creeps for long distances. A good strong plant fre- 

 quently has a rootstock measuring twenty feet or more 

 in length. In endeavouring to avoid obstructions in the 

 soil, it has been known to go to depths of fifteen feet. 

 It branches freely and secondary rootstocks are frequently 

 given off from the base of the stipes. 



Although very abundant in northern countries, this 

 species is quite sensitive to cold. A late spring frost 

 frequently cuts down the young crosiers and the mature 



BRACKEN. Ptcris aquilina. Lower Pinna. 



fronds early turn brown under the frosts of autumn 

 although they commonly remain erect for most of the 

 winter. The crosiers are quite characteristic and easily 

 distinguished from all others. They are covered with a 

 fine silvery-gray pubescence and the three divisions un- 

 rolling separately from the stiff stipes look not unlike 

 the claws of some large bird. No doubt this accounts 

 for the name of turkey foot fern, sometimes applied to it. 



