120 THE FERN PARADISE. 



no pretension to be a hand-book. It is in sub- 

 stance " a plea for the ferns," and as such it goes 

 forth to the world. But it aims at being widely 

 useful. Many ferns which grow in lovely Devon- 

 shire are never seen in other counties ; but the 

 county is poor indeed which cannot furnish a few 

 specimens of what are called the common varieties 

 of our native ferns. 



In the following pages of description the 

 simplest definitions will be given ; and in addi- 

 tion to these, under the name of each fern 

 information will be furnished as to the particular 

 situations in which it grows, the method of culti- 

 vation, the soil, and other matters which will be of 

 interest for the fern-lover. 



