THE STRUCTURE OJ? FERNS. 11 



larity. These patclies are vast accumulations of the minute 

 seeds — so minute as to be fabulously invisible — from which 

 young fern- plants would be produced. 



Now, as the leaves of those plants which do bear flowers 

 do not bear these dust-like patches, it is on their presence 

 that the no\ice must depend for the assurance that the 

 plant he has under examination is really a Fern. It must 

 be confessed, indeed, that this is a very imperfect definition, 

 and one which would fail to satisfy the more advanced 

 student ; but in truth, there is no other available guide- 

 mark at the starting-point, nor until the eye has become 

 familiarized with the peculiar appearances by aid of 

 which Ferns may be recognized at first sight. This first 

 step — the ready recognition of a Fern from other plants — 

 will be greatly assisted by the characteristic figures which 

 accompany and ornament these pages. More detailed par- 

 ticulars of the peculiarities of Ferns we must noAv proceed 

 to ofi"er. 



Ferns, as we have already stated, are flowerless plants. 

 They arc furnished with roots, by which they obtain 

 nourishment from the soil ; with stems, by which their 

 conspicuous parts are borne up and supported ; and with 

 leaves, to which their elegance is due, these leaves bearing 



