ADVERTISEMENT. 



THE first edition of this little work was issued in 1854, just 

 at the time when Ferns became the objects of popular taste. 

 In the following year the Plates were added. A second edition, 

 enlarged and rearranged, was published in the autumn of 1855. 

 Since the second edition was printed, there seems to have 

 sprung up a greatly extended demand for popular scientific 

 manuals ; and it has been felt that the existing edition was 

 somewhat too methodic and uninviting, and that a more 

 popular edition would be acceptable. 



The Author of the work, as it originally stood, being pre- 

 cluded by indisposition from undertaking the task of recom- 

 posing his manual, the Publisher is indebted to the pen of a 

 lady for the present edition. The only portions of the old 

 edition now retained are the title-page and the plates ; and 

 he hopes that the public will find in these pages an easy and 

 plain solution to any little difficulty with which they may meet 

 in collecting or cultivating these interesting plants. 



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