X PEEFACE. 



out good reason, of the many names given to the same 

 plant ; to assist in correcting this, I have drawn up a 

 complete Index of the species and synonymes noticed 

 in this work ; therefore, by turning to the page referred 

 to in the Index, the name will be found either with a 

 number before it showing it to be the adopted name, or 

 following the same as a synonyme, or what it has been 

 and is still called by some writers and cultivators. 

 Although this Index contains nearly three thousand 

 names, yet, it must be understood, I have only taken 

 up the synonymes that I consider most essential; 

 those who desire to enter more fully into this subject, 

 may consult the " Index Filicum" of Mr. T. Moore 

 a work which, when completed, will be a treasure to 

 pteridologists. 



With regard to the wood-cuts,, I have to explain 

 that about half of the number were not specially pre- 

 pared for this work ; these, in general, represent a 

 portion of the fronds of their natural size, in some 

 cases without fructification, the venation only being 

 given. The drawings for the other half have been made 

 principally from specimens in my herbarium or from 

 living plants. In many of them a magnified portion 

 of the frond is given, showing the character of the 

 genus more distinctly. 



As a companion to the scientific enumeration, I 

 have given a treatise on their cultivation, which occu- 

 pies a considerable space in this book, and it is hoped 

 will be of service to the Fern-growing public. 



