1056 



THE FERN FAMILY. 



Fig. 1287. 



curved, entire, attached by their broad 

 base ; those in the centre of the frond 

 1 to 1| inches long, gradually de- 

 creasing towards each end. Fruiting 

 fronds in the centre of the tuft erect, 1 

 to 1 ^ feet high ; the segments of the 

 same length as in the barren ones, but 

 all narrow-linear ; the under side en- 

 tirely occupied by the 2 linear sori. 



In woods, and rather moist stony 

 places and heaths, generally distri- 

 buted over Europe, extending from 

 the Mediterranean far into Scandi- 

 navia, and occurs in several parts of 

 Asia and Africa without the tropics. 

 Common in Britain. Fr. summer, ra- 

 ther late, and autumn. 



XII. PTERIS. PTERIS. 



Fronds usually stiff, often large, lobed or pinnately divided. Veins 

 of the segments branching from a midrib. Sori linear, close along the 

 margin of the frond, with an indusium attached along its outer «dge to 

 the margin of the frond, and opening on the inner side. 



A large genus, widely distributed over the globe, and if not very 

 natural, at any rate easily recognized. 



1. Brake Pteris. Pteris aquilina, Linn. (Fig. 1288.) 



(Eng. Bot. t. 1679. Brakes or Bracken.) 



A tall, erect, stiff Fern, with a thick, hard, creeping rootstock. 

 Fronds 1 to 2 feet high in poor soils, 8 to 10 feet high when luxu- 

 riant, twice or thrice pinnate ; the primary pinnas in pairs at some 

 distance from each other ; the lowest pair much larger, the others 

 decreasing in size and successively developed, giving the whole frond, 

 especially when young or small, a broadly triangular outline. Secondary 



