AUTHOR'S PREFACE 
natural or artificial in character then, if in a small arca like th 
me much more 
often marked, and usually constant in character occur, the variations must b 
iid extensive 
numerous and marked, if the sp spread, as often happens, over widely separated 
portions of the globe, It may safely be concluded from this further view of the s that an infinity 
of species, founded on slight differences and often on the nero fact тірегі separation, are thus 
thrown open to doubt, or at once reduced to mere local variations. Many apparently genuine species 
also, thus become broken down and amalgamated һу the discovery of connecting varieties, it may be, at 
their antipodes, The number of apparently good species so-called which thus become disturbed by th 
atural difusion and variation le vegetable types from any intelligible centre of creation, 
which in that caso would bo a necessary assumption—and all such conjectures as to origin aro mere 
sumptions and an affectation of being wise above that whi itten —become a serious obstacle 
in the way of continuing to hold faith in th 
One object of enumerating tho varieties of British Ferns then, has been to prove, that so-called 
species do vary very much in our limited area ; and hence to draw the inferenco, sufficiently supported 
indeed by facts, that they vary much more when a wider range is taken into account; such a conclusion 
being clearly unfavourable to the multiplication of species. It is to be remembered that the variations 
often marked, and 
here spoken of, though sometimes slight, are neverthele 
the most part constant 
and appreciable; by no means frequently ranging as mere monstrosities, but even then for the п 
part permanent, and renewable from the spores—this latter fact probably affording incidental proof that 
spores themselves aro in reality buds, and not at all analogous to seeds, and sug 
16 only remains here to acknowledge the much assistance which has been afforded us in the 
of our labours; all of which it is hoped п duly recorded. Our thanks are however 
Шу due to Sir W. J. Hooker, for the facilities afforded by ready access to his valuable Herbarium 
in tracing the geographical range of the species; to Dr. Lindley, for his careful supervision; and to. 
Mx. б. В. Wollaston, for his valuable notes on varieties, 
