PREFACE. 



THE works from which, though with occa- 

 sional differences, this Outline of our BRITISH 

 FERNS is mainly compiled, were spoken of 

 at large in the former edition, namely, ' An 

 Analysis of the British Ferns/ by George 

 Francis, F.L.S. London : Simpkin, Marshall, 

 and Co., Stationers' -hall Court. Sowerby^s 

 ( English Botany/ Class XXIV, Cryptogamia, 

 Order I, Filices, pp. 29, pi. 43. ' A Handbook 

 of British Ferns/ by Thomas Moore, F.L.S. 

 Groombridge, Paternoster Row; and Pamplin, 

 Frith Street, Soho ; and ( A Popular History 

 of the British Ferns/ by the same, Reeve 

 and Benham, Henrietta Street, Covent Garden: 

 all of them to be strongly recommended to 

 any one desirous of more fully studying the 

 subject : the first, for his definitions, and exhi- 

 bitions of genera ; the second, for the plates ; 

 the third, for details and culture ; the last, for 

 habitats. To such as wish for a yet simpler 

 guide, the present may prove not altogether 

 useless ; the description of each species being 

 given in words of common use, and the tech- 

 nical language of the above, so puzzling to a 

 beginner, avoided : except so far that it has 

 now been preferred to designate the lateral 



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