vi Preface. 



The generic nomenclature is, with few exceptions, that 

 of the " Synopsis Filicum," but the sub-genera have been 

 raised to the rank of genera ; this avoids the inconvenience 

 of double generic names, and may be admitted on this score 

 even by those who do not consider the wide difference in 

 habit of such genera as Phegopteris, Polypodium, Pleopeltis, 

 and Drynaria of any value generically, and who base their 

 genera on the sori alone, without reference to habit, vena- 

 tion, or vernation. 



The geographical limits of the work comprise the whole 

 of British India, Ceylon and the Malay Peninsula. 



West Hill, Putney, 

 May, 1833. 



