HANDY HOOK OF 
autumn, when frosts begin to whiten the fields. Fertile 
leaves, or such as produce seeds, are nearly triangular ; 
they are composed of numerous separate pinnulso, each on a 
distinct foot-stalk the pinna), as well as the pinnulse, being- 
alternate. The character of the barren, or seedless frond, 
is various ; it resembles in configuration that of parsley, 
being crowded, or crisped ; but the divisions are intrinsically 
the same as those of the fertile, or seed-producing frond : in 
both the rachis, or spike-stalk, is slender, smooth, pale- 
green, and naked for rather more than "half its length ; the 
coloiir of the frond is of a bright and beautiful green. 
Fig. a represents a seed-producing frond, when the mar- 
gins are rolled over in order to protect the theca). Fig. b, 
a leaf showing alternate lateral veins, which are generally 
forked ; with a mass of theca) attached at each extremity. 
The veins do not reach the margin. Fig. c, a seedless 
frond. 
