INTRODUCTION. 



HPHESE pages, it has already been intimated, 

 are not intended for scientific readers. Our 

 object is to create a universal love for the beautiful 

 ferns ; and as yet only such general descriptions 

 of ferns and ferny scenery have been given as 

 might suffice for the purpose which we have 

 set before us. But to give to the little volume 

 a utility beyond what it would possess by a too 

 strict adherence to mere generalization, some 

 descriptions will be now given of each species 

 of such of the exquisite and graceful fern family 

 as have chosen to make these islands their 

 home. 



Too much, however, will not, with this object, 

 be attempted. The little book is not intended 

 to comnete with botanical treatises. It makes 



