GENERA AND SPECIES. 43 
PLATE VIII. 
PTERIS AQUILINA. Linnzus. 
THE COMMON BRACKEN. 
The term Bracken is applied by some persons to all 
kinds of ferns. But the name appropriately belongs only 
to the Pteris aquilina. It is very properly referred by 
Mr. Redfield to his Cosmopolitan division, on account of 
its general distribution. It grows abundantly, both in the 
new and the old world. It is common on nearly all our 
Kentucky knobs, and is occasionally met with in the val- 
leys, especially among the loftier hills. On the Allegha- 
nies, in this country, and in the highlands of Scotland, the 
bracken often covers acres of ground, and such places be- 
come the favorite haunt of the deer. In Kentucky it is 
always found associated with the huckleberry, the moun- 
tain laurel, and other members of the heath family. 
It is a strong, vigorous fern, often three or four feet 
high; the stout stalk having three wide-spreading branches, 
giving the whole plant a triangular form. On account of 
its robust habit it is not very attractive in a small fernery, 
and is, besides, not readily cultivated. In its native woods 
it is exceedingly picturesque, and is a striking feature of 
the vegetation. It is impossible to represent this fern well 
on a small plate. 
Plate I, figure 1 (after Sachs), represents the root of the 
Pteris aquilina, giving a good idea of its manner of 
growth. 
