THE BRACKEN. 
259 
only a few inches, when the plant is growing on 
hard, uncongenial soil, and remains exposed to 
the power of sun and wind, to a height of ten 
feet, when growing in the moist, shady recesses of 
woods and forests. The nature of the soil and 
situation influences, too, the form and develop¬ 
ment of this Fern. But describing it under its 
usual conditions, it may be stated that the stalk 
of the frond, of a lovely green colour, is a little 
more than half the length of the latter, which, 
from the point where the stalk ends, exhibits a 
♦ 
triangular appearance. But its uppermost tip 
* 
forms the most acute angle of the three, the 
bottom of the frond being the shortest of its three 
sides. Unrolling upwards, the bare stalk being 
terminated, and the rachis—the main or central 
stem of the frond proper—having commenced, on 
each side, right and left, are thrown out in pairs 
the side branches. These side branches continue 
to be thrown out in pairs as the fronds unroll 
upwards,—each pair, however, diminishing in 
length until the extreme point of the frond is 
attained, within a short distance of which the 
perpendicular and the lateral extensions are 
