75 
even more in the lower part, and once in the higher part 
of the leaflet, and then reach the green margin. On this 
margin is a vein running lengthways, by which the others 
are connected together. The fructification is attached to 
this. From the upper surface edge of the green part pro- 
ceeds a thin white cover, and from the lower surface edge 
another white similar extension, on which the clusters of 
spores lie. What a beautiful provision is here made for the 
propagation of the plant ! The leaf must alter its colour 
and become thin and tender, that it may cradle its child 
with every care. The branches or pinnae of Brake are oppo- 
site. The stalk at first is downy, afterwards smooth, having 
its lower part and what is underground of a dark brown 
colour. It is quite as long as the branched part or frond. 
These mainstalks have sometimes a sharp edge, and wound 
the hand severely if plucked incautiously. There is a 
creeping rootstock (rhizome) which is brown or blackish, 
about the thickness of a man’s little finger, from hence 
the plant rises up at intervals, as in the case of the Polypody. 
In the downs it is comparatively a stunted plant, but in the 
wet woods and shady places, it not unfrequently reaches the 
height of nine or ten feet, a very graceful and elegant object. 
What with its wide-spread branches and light green colour 
and feathery foliage, it surely deserves a place among the 
beautiful works of nature. The Bracken is very susceptible 
of cold. In autumn, a severe frost soon turns it to a deep 
brown colour and makes it wither. In the spring, a whole 
crop is cut down, like the potatoes, by the sharp and piercing 
north easterly wind. 
Brake is to be found in every country in Europe and it 
is a question whether the species of Pteris found in Eussia, 
Africa, New Zealand, and the Sandwich Islands, is not 
identically the same. Great indeed is the variation of form. 
But this may be ascribed to the difference of soil, clime, and 
position. Hooker says that the edible Pern root* of New 
Zealand is a mere variety of our Common Brake. That 
used to be the favourite food of the New Zealanders and was 
celebrated in song. The young women in laying before 
* Pteris Esculenta. 
