Bracken (Pteris aquilina). 



By W. J. Lucas, B.A., F.E.S. Read October 2Gth, 1911. 



Ferns and their near relatives forming the group of plants 

 known as Pteridnphytes, have descended to us from far distant ages 

 in the world's history. Could we go back to the Carboniferous 

 Period, when coal was being formed, we should find- ferns and their 

 allies growing in luxuriance ; aod the remains of vast forests of 

 them, altered by heat and pressure, are with us now in the form of 

 coal. A great number of species of the Pteridophijtes have been 

 preserved to us in a fossil state — some being more or less like those 

 living at the present day, some on the other hand showing 

 considerable difference. 



If we adopt the nebular hypothesis of the Earth's origin, we may 

 no doubt presume that there was a period in long past times, before 

 the earth had cooled so much as it now has, when bright sunshine 

 was cut oft' from the surface of the land by a more or less constant 

 canopy of vapour. We may perhaps with some confidence assume 

 this to have been the case when ferns and fern-like plants were so 

 abundant. At any rate since the Pteridoplnjtes resemble their 

 distant ancestors closely in appearance, it is not at all unlikely that 

 there is a reason for the partiality, which they usually exhibit, for 

 an environment in keeping with that I have suggested for their 

 predecessors. For it is of course true that we usually look for the 

 Pteridophytes in moist glens, deep lanes, and ancient woods — in 

 fact, generally, where the rainfall is abundant and shady spots are 

 plentiful. This also gives the clue to the most favourable 

 conditions under which the greater number of species may be 

 cultivated in captivity. 



Proceeding on the same lines we should expect to find the 

 Pteridophytes of England more plentiful in the south-west, where 

 the warm moist Atlantic breezes prevail, and becoming less frequent 

 as we proceed east. This is found usually to be the case, though 

 the Bracken, which we are now to consider, is less fastidious than 

 most in this respect. 



One striking feature of many ferns is their delicate, much- cut, 

 lace-like foliage. Consequently, the non-botanist is apt to class 

 plants with such foliage amongst the ferns, while ferns with entire 



