2S4 



virtue of this abundance so drastically ignored and 

 rejected the ineligible, defective, inconstant and un- 

 syrnmetrical forms, that it became possible to make a new 

 start in the direction of public favour by means of a 

 Society representing the cult. 



The new start was humble enough, being the meeting in 

 1 89 1 of a small coterie of fern lovers in Kendal, West- 

 moreland, who founded the Northern Pteridological 

 Society. This was speedily joined by several recognised 

 authorities on British Ferns in other parts of the British 

 Isles, and hence was renamed " The British Pteridological 

 Society," as implying a wider sphere of influence. 

 Eventually, in 1909, as, although the subscription was 

 small, it was felt that the members really obtained 

 inadequate benefits in the shape of only occasional 

 papers, a resolution was passed that a quarterly publi- 

 cation, entitled "The British Fern Gazette," should be 

 issued, the writer agreeing to act as Editor of same. 

 That this idea was a good one was evidenced at once by a 

 large accession to the ranks of the members, and subse- 

 quently by the fact that the " Gazette " has more than paid 

 for the expense of its production, and forms now two 

 volumes of really practical and interesting literature, 

 bringing the data of the cult up to the present time. We 

 may here remark that a limited number of bound volumes, 

 price 3s. gd., post free, have been prepared for such 

 members as desire copies of Nos. 13 to 24. Vol. I. is out 

 of print. It is gratifying to the Editor that the " Gazette " 

 has become the generally recognised centre of information 

 relating to our British Ferns and their varieties, so that 

 eminent foreign botanists subscribe and refer to it as a 

 source of new and reliable data. In view of this he trusts 

 that the members will continue to aid him to the best of 

 their ability, by providing material for record and publi- 

 cation, and also by enlisting new members, and so enable 



