PREFACE. 



When I set about compiling my handbook Malayan Ferns, it was 

 my intention to include some chapters on the Malayan fern allies. 

 Want of time, however, prevented me from carrying out my plan, so 

 that I had to defer the continuation of my work till after my return 

 from Japan, where the botanical literature to my disposal did not meet 

 my requirements. 



As to the sources from which I have drawn, it is my pleasant duty 

 to mention here my indebtedness especially to SPRING'S Monographic de la 

 Famille des Lycopodiacees, BAKER'S Fern Allies, RACIBORSKI'S Pteridophyten 

 der Flora von Buitenzorg, WARBURG'S Monsunia I, ENGLER & PRANTL'S 

 Natilrliche Pflanzenfamilien I* and HIERONYMUS' descriptions of new Sela- 

 ginellae in Hedwigia, etc. 



As regards the arrangement of families, genera and species, I have 

 selected separately or combined, with or without alterations those 

 which seemed to me to be most easy for determination, in doing which 

 I have had to avail myself of the experience of others, considering that 

 on several species I have never set eyes. 



The present volume should be looked upon as a sequel to my 

 Malayan Ferns, for which reason I have continued the numeration of the 

 families and genera in the earlier work. 



The supplements which may eventually be published will serve as 

 such to both volumes. 



The reasons why the diagnoses of some species are either incomplete 

 or wanting altogether, are the same as those stated in Malayan Ferns; 

 in good time I hope I shall be able to state them in a supplementary 

 volume. 



For the habitats I beg to refer the reader to the Preface to Malayan 

 Ferns, and for the determination of the plants to my observation in the 

 2nd paragraph on page XL of the same work. The dimensions given in 

 the keys and diagnoses are generally approximative only. 



