AUTHOR'S PREFACE. 



THE scope of the present volume is confined to the 

 Thallophyta, Charophyta, Bryophyta, and Pteridophyta repre- 

 sented in the British Museum collections of English 

 Wealden plants. A general review and more critical 

 discussion of the Wealden flora, as a whole, will be 

 attempted in the second volume after the remaining 

 classes of plants have been fully examined. 



I desire to express my obligation to Dr. Woodward, 

 Mr. R. Bullen Newton, and other members of the 

 Geological Department for the facilities and help which 

 have been afforded me during my vacation visits to 

 the Museum. My thanks are also due to Mr. Carruthers, 

 who has always been ready to place at my disposal 

 his wide knowledge of fossil and recent ferns ; to my 

 friend Mr. Geo. Murray I am indebted for generous 

 help ; also to other members of the Botanical Depart- 

 ment, who have assisted me in various ways. 



For information on certain points connected with recent 

 ferns I have availed myself of the exceptional advantages 

 afforded by the Royal Gardens, Kew. 



