59 
It diminishes the barren aspect of our heath-fields and 
downs. Brake is so common that it hardly needs any 
description of its form. Suffice it to say, that it stands up 
like a tree with branches on each side, which are again and 
again divided into other branches. The leafiets are linear, 
the upper ones generally without, and the lower ones with 
deep notches on their edges. The terminal leaflet of the 
toothed pinnae has the appearance of a dagger. When the 
frond first begins to unfold itself, the stalk divides into 
three branches, and not only is the highest point of each 
branch rolled-in, but also the leaflets at their extremities. 
One of these three branches rises upwards, while the others 
spread right and left. The highest again and again branches 
according to the luxuriance of the plant. The branchlets 
of the branches are often again branched, and thus it 
becomes tripinnate. The leaflets vary. Sometimes they 
are toothed or pinnatifid, and at other times not in the least 
degree divided on their edges. They are also connected 
to the mid-rib, not by the stalk, but by their whole base. 
Hence they assume the form of a wedge. They are oppo- 
site below, alternate above. The veins are transparent. 
In the mid-vein are some brighter spots which appear like 
little stars, from whence issue the side-veins, which fork 
twice or 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 
proceeds 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 pinnsD 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 
