STUDIES IN FERN LIFE 35 



back from the one, or possibly two, leaves 

 which have been produced during the present 

 season, we shall find the remnants of leaf stalks 

 which have served during past years. If the 

 stem is followed up in this direction we shall 

 finally come to a place where it is rotting ; as 

 a matter of fact this process of decay is almost 

 keeping pace with the active extensions which 

 are going on at the growing point. Beyond 

 this year's leaf it will be possible to find the 

 buds for next year, and even the season after 

 that. Thus should any accident happen to the 

 developing leaf of the present season there will 

 be another in a fairly advanced state to take 

 its place. The root system of the Bracken is 

 constantly extending, seeing that buds of new 

 stems are continually being produced at the 

 bases of the leaf stalks. This explains the 

 wonderful way in which the fern captures 

 situations. Indeed, it is very likely that, 

 should all the land in the United Kingdom 

 become uncultivated, it would not be many 

 years before the Bracken Fern had claimed the 

 major part for its o-wti. 



So complete is the arrangement for the 

 increase of the Bracken Fern by means of its 



