72 FERNS AND THEIR ALLIES 



It is when thus heavily weighted with fruit 

 that we find the most close resemblance to 

 Woodsia obtnsa. 



The indusia are pointed at the free end, and in 

 this as well as in tlie preceding species, wither 

 so early that the fruit-dots appear naked at 

 maturity in June and July. 



PTBRIS. Brake. 



The name is from the Greek pteris, a fern, 

 ixova ptcron, a wing, referring to the pinnate or 

 feather-like fronds. 



COMMON BRAKE. 



Pteris aqiiilina. 



Frond ternate, at the summit of an erect, 

 brownish stipe from one to four or five feet 

 high. It is triangular in form, and from one to 

 three feet wide, consisting of three primary, 

 stalked divisions, which are also triangular and 

 twice pinnate: The upper pinnules are un- 

 divided ; the lower ones are variable, being more 

 or less cut into oblong, obtuse lobes. 



The Common Brake being ternate and so 

 large cannot be confused with any other spe- 

 cies. It is very common in woods, pastures, 

 and waste ground. 



The name "brake" is apt to be applied in 



