PREFACE. 



The Series, of which this Volume forms part, has been 

 provided for the use of beginners in the study of natural 

 objects, and especially for the young. Hence, in treating 

 of the popular family of Ferns, it has been the Author's 

 aim to familiarize the subject without sacrificing that inte- 

 grity of detail which may render his pages acceptable even 

 to those who may have made some progress in the study. 

 With this intention all unnecessary technicalities have 

 been avoided, and their place occupied by plain, and, it 

 is hoped, easily-understood, descriptions of the plants. 

 Those dubious and debatable matters, which, perhaps, 

 have the most interest to the advanced student, have been 



