ROCK BRAKES. 
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ROCK BRAKES [half the natural size). 
Allosorus crispus, Bernhardi, Babington. 
Pteris crispa, Smith. 
Cryptogramma crispa, Hooker. 
The Rock Brakes, Rock Parsley, or Parsley-leaved Fern, is 
a small plant, generally varying between four and eight inches 
in length : where abundant, its bright green fronds form a cheer- 
ful and pleasing contrast to the dark masses of weather-beaten 
and lichen-stained rock, by which it is almost invariably sur- 
rounded. Although it occasionally condescends to seek a shelter 
in the crevices of old walls, its favorite dwelling-place is among 
the shapeless masses of stone which are often strewn in such 
wild profusion down the sides of oiir mountains. It is a local 
plant, and the north of England seems to be its favorite station. 
I have given below a summary of the English and Welch coun- 
ties where it occurs, and by this it will be seen that it is entirely 
absent from the south-eastern districts. 
