:css (Opinions 



OF 



THE FERN PARADISE. 11 



Selected from 100 favourable Reviews. 



FIRST EDITION. 



Saturday Review. 



' It is an appropriate undertaking' for a practical philanthropist to bring home fern- 

 huntingf and fern culture to the mind and eye of the many . . . The plan of Mr. Heath's 

 book is well conceived. First he stimulates a taste for the fernery by vivid descrip- 

 tions of fern land and its unflowering botanic inhabitants, and this done he introduces 

 us to a dozen typical 'sing-le ferns,' the only species of their respective genera; 

 afterwards discussing some seven interesting 'fern groups,' and all this simply and 

 clearly, and yet with enough ot exactness to prevent any scientific reader having the 

 right to cavil at an untechnicality, which is an especial boon to the general reader and 

 amateur fern fancier. . . . Unless Mr. Heath himself paints on canvas as cleverly as 

 as he depicts on paper the scenes with which his favourite plants are connected, it 

 might be worth an artist's while to visit some of the haunts and outlooks of his 

 Devonian rambles.' 



Spectator. 



' With the view of promoting fern culture it is that Mr. Heath has produced this 

 charming little volume, which, written, it is needless to say, con amore, will not only 

 enchant the Fern lover, but will also please and instruct the general reader.' 



British Quarterly Review. 



'We earnestly commend this volume, written by one who is an intense lover of 

 Nature, and who has thrown around his subject, not only the light of science, but the 

 charm of enthusiasm and poetry.' 



Morning Post. 



' The Fern Paradise comes from the pen of a well-known writer on popular 

 subjects. While Mr. Heath makes his plea for the culture of ferns almost irresistible 

 by his alluring sketches of 'The Fern Paradise of England,' he also shows how 

 readily the most charming features of that paradise may be utilized for the orna- 

 mentation even of the humblest dwellings.' 



Standard. 



' The Fern Paradise has won its way to a most deservedly high place in popular 

 estimation.' . . . ' The chapters which the author devotes to accounts of rambles 

 amongst green lanes and shady nooks are delightfully fresh, and full of picturesque 

 descriptions and delicate word-painting. Lovers of the beautiful in Nature could 

 desire no more charming programme for a country holiday than to follow, The Fern 

 Paradise in hand. Mr. Heath's wanderings. . . . We have read with great pleasure 

 his charming descriptions. 



Garden. 



' This book has for its acknowledged object the development ot the popular taste 

 for ferns. If an enthusiastic appreciation of his subject, a vivid imagination, and 

 splendid powers of description are likely to assist in the accomplishment of the 

 Author's purpose, he will probably have the satisfaction of knowing in time that he 

 has been successful. His work has evidently been a labour of love ; and wisely 

 choosing to approach his subject from an aesthetic rather than from a scientific point 

 of view, the opportunity has been afforded for descriptive writing of a kind rarely 

 to be found in works bearing upon botanical matters.' 



Land and Water. 



' Mr. Heath has fulfilled his task with characteristic ability. His object is to 

 extend the love of fernery, and we imagine that few who read his pages will do so 

 uninfluenced by his enthusiasm.' 



