PREFACE. Vll 



sions. Of the difficulties of such questions the uninitiated 

 can have but a faint idea, neither could they be expected 

 to see clearly through them in any form in which they 

 could possibly be presented to them. It has, therefore, 

 been thought best to simplify the matter by regarding such 

 dubious species as varieties, ranging them with those ad- 

 mitted species in whose company, it appeared to us, they 

 would be most easily recognized. In doing this, however, 

 we record no opinions as to the questions really involved. 



One novel species a less dubious addition to our 

 British Ferns has been announced while these pages have 

 been going through the press. This will be found de- 

 scribed in an Appendix. 



One word. more. If it so happens that any of those who 

 may be led by the perusal of these pages to study the Ferns 

 of Britain, should, in the course of their inquiries, meet 

 with difficulties or perplexities which we may be able to 



