

PREFACE 



The present paper by Mr. Maxon is the second of a series designed 

 as a convenient means of bringing together the results of his studies 

 of tropical American ferns, of which the National Museum has 

 acquired large collections within recent years. In his report upon 

 Baron von Turekheim's recent Guatemalan collections the writer 

 directs attention to the lack of adequate material from the humid 

 region of eastern Mexico. This deficiency exists not only in the 

 case of the ferns and allied plants, but, to a large extent, in that of 

 the phanerogams as well. It is to be hoped that means may be found 

 to cany on in this region botanical exploration of the same character 

 and extent as that which has been devoted in recent years to the 

 plateau of Mexico. We shall then have a thorough knowledge of 

 the flora of the low humid region instead of an imperfect knowledge 

 resting largely on collections of half a century or more ago. 



Frederick V. Coville, 

 Curator of the United States National Herbarium. 



