5* 



INTRODUCTORY EDITORIAL NOTE 



I LOOK upon this little volume as a distinct acquisition 

 to the " Peeps at Nature " Series, and I am confident 

 that it will receive a kindly reception on the part of 

 those who desire a well-illustrated, reliable, and at the 

 same time inexpensive, book on ferns and their allies. 

 The author has packed a great deal of information in 

 a small space ; he has dealt with a difficult subject in 

 a simple way. As a practical field botanist and close 

 observer, he is well acquainted with the difficulties of 

 identification, and the following chapters are the result 

 of experience. The book will be valued by the general 

 Nature student as well as the young beginner. 



The author has dealt with all ferns and their allies 

 regarded by Sir J. D. Hooker as definite British species, 

 with two exceptions : (i) A Fern, Gymnogramme lepto- 

 phylla ; and (2) a Quillwort, Isoetes Hystrix. These 

 two plants are British only in a political sense, being 

 restricted to the Channel Islands. 



CHARLES A. HALL. 



862217 



