Pteris. \ 
FERNS. 
55 
PTERIS AQUILINA. 
BRAKES. BRACKEN. FEMALE FERN. 
(Plate 6, fig. 1.) 
Cha. — Frond thrice pinnate. Larger pinnules pinnatifid, smaller 
entire. Rachis smooth. 
Syn. — P teris aquilina, Linn, and all modern Authors . — Filix foemina, Ray, 
Ger . — Asplenium aquilina, Bernh . — Pteris caudata (i, Schk. 
Fig.— E. B. 1 G79. — Ger. 1128.— Bolt. 10, (all bad). 
Des. — Root long and creeping, black and smooth when old, 
tomentose and brown when young. Rachis smooth, shining, without 
pinnae on the lower part, tapering and black near its junction with 
the root. Fronds annual, erect, rigid, repeatedly divided, 2 to 
5 feet high. Pinnae opposite, more and more divided downwards, 
the smallest entire, the next pinnatifid, still lower ones pinnate, 
pinnato-pinnatifid, and twice pinnate. Pinnules opposite below, 
alternate above, oblong, blunt, connected to the midrib by their 
whole base, that terminating the pinna much larger than the others 
near it. Sori in a continued line around every sinuosity of the pinna. 
Indusium adhering to the margin of the frond, within which is 
another cover, contrary or opposite to the outer one, and in like 
manner fringed. When the young fronds first uncoil themselves 
they are densely downy. 
If the stem be cut across near the root, it exhibits the bundles of vessels 
very plainly, in the form of an oak tree, or, as Linnaeus thought, a spread eagle ; 
hence its name Aquilina. This is seen in the generic wood-cut above, where also 
is a transverse section of the rhizoma, showing a totally different arrangement of 
vessels. The circumstance of the curious arrangement of vessels of the stem 
was a matter of notoriety at a very early period. Thus we find in a most rare 
little book, entitled, “A Dyalogue or Communycation of two persons devysed or 
set fortbe, in the Latin Tonge, by the noble and famous clarke Desiderius 
Erasmus, intituled, The Pilgrimage of pure Devotyon, newly translatyd into 
Englishe.” (no date, supposed to be 1551), is the following curious passage : 
“ Peraventure they ymagyne the symylytude of a tode to be there ; evyn as we 
suppose when we cutte the fearne stalke there to be an eyle.” 
This Fern is useful for many purposes, independently of the anthelmintic and 
astringent properties the herbalists attach to it. It is the favorite haunt of the 
deer tribe. As it is very long before it rots, and does not harbour insects, it is 
excellent as thatch ; it does not hold moisture so much as straw, and is therefore 
better as litter for cattle, and as a cover to preserve plants from frost. It is also 
very excellent to lay fruit upon, or to pack it in, as it does not communicate any 
mustiness. Containing tannin, it is useful in the preparation of the lighter kinds 
of leather, and affords excellent potash when burnt. Its harsh texture and 
astringent taste render it unpalatable to cattle, though the roots are sought for 
