VI PREFACE 



collection at this time occupied three hothouses, cover- 

 ing- an area of 6,570 square feet. 



I should, however, state that the greatness of this 

 collection could not have been attained but for the 

 powerful aid of the late Sir William Hooker, who also 

 took great interest in the study of Ferns, as will be seen 

 by the references to his works in the following pages. 

 In the preface to the "Synopsis Filicum," speaking 

 of the Garden collection, he says, "it is the finest 

 in cultivation," and "the formation of this fine collec- 

 tion is mainly due to the exertions and ability of 

 Mr. John Smith, who for forty-three years held an 

 important position among the officers of the Royal 

 Gardens. His knowledge of Ferns, and his writings 

 on them, justly entitle him to rank among the most 

 distinguished Pteridologists of the present day." 



The above statement will, I trust, be sufficient to 

 show that I have not written this work without long 

 practical acquaintance and the devotion of much time 

 to the study of Ferns, this leads me to hope that it 

 will be found useful to, and worthy of the patronage 

 of, Pterodologists and Botanists in general. I must, 

 however, state that on account of my loss of sight 

 the work is not so complete as I could wish. Lat- 

 terly my materials have been obtained from books 

 kindly lent me by Dr. Hooker, and from various 



