THE STRUCTURE OF FERNS. 9 



Now, as the leaves of those plants which do bear flowers 

 do not bear these dusty patches, it is on their presence that 

 the novice must depend for the assurance that the plant he 

 has under examination is really a Fern. It must be confessed, 

 indeed, that this is a very imperfect definition, and one 

 which would fail to satisfy the more advanced student ; but 

 in truth, there is no other available guide-mark at the 

 starting point, nor until the eye has become familiarized 

 with the peculiar appearances by aid of which Perns may be 

 recognized at first sight. This first step the ready re- 

 cognition of a Fern from other plants will be greatly as- 

 sisted by Mr. Fitch's characteristic figures which accompany 

 and ornament these pages. More detailed particulars of 

 the peculiarities of Ferns we must now proceed to offer. 



Ferns, as we have already stated, are flowerless plants. 

 They are furnished with roots, by which they obtain nou- 

 rishment from the soil ; with stems, by which their con- 

 spicuous parts are borne up and supported; and with 

 leaves, to which their elegance is due, these leaves bearing 

 on some part of their surface, but usually on the lower face, 

 the seeds by which the plants may be propagated. These 

 are their external parts, and are called organs. 



The proper roots of Ferns are entirely fibrous, and they 



