358 [Proc. B.N.F.C., 



well marked, the specimen approaches to some of the ferns from 

 the Devonian, or lower Carboniferous strata. 



The number of species now known is about 2,500, occurring 

 in almost all parts of the world, more plentifully in mountainous 

 tropical countries. They are of varied size and aspect, some very 

 minute and of delicate structure, others noble trees, with stems 50 

 feet and upwards in height, crowned with magnificent plumy heads 

 of fronds, their form or cutting not less varied, and all intermediate 

 states of division between the simple or undivided frond to that in 

 which division and sub-division of the parts is so many times 

 repeated as to produce highly composite characters. As many as 

 35,000 divisions have been counted in a frond of the lady fern. 

 These elegant characters of outline and division of parts have led 

 to their being associated with all that is graceful and fascinating 

 among vegetable forms; they are, indeed, the very prototypes of 

 gracefulness. 



The distinguishing characters of ferns were then enumerated, 

 showing the differences between them and flowering plants, both 

 as to absence of flowers and seeds, and in their places spores and 

 spore-cases, which are borne on the fronds, either on the back or 

 margin, some in round clusters, others in lines or broken up into 

 irregular masses. The difference between seeds and spores was 

 then shown ; that after the germination of the spores organs 

 similar to stamens and pistils are developed, and after fertilisation 

 the fronds are produced. 



For successful fern-collecting it is necessary to have a know- 

 ledge of the normal forms and their habits, otherwise many an 

 excursion will be unsuccessful. One of the greatest charms about 

 ferns is that they are spread so bountifully over the country, that 

 they are available to those of limited time and means, and when 

 found may be captured and cultivated. The hunter must have 

 indomitable perseverance. Every nook, dell, rock, roadside, 

 hedge, and ditch must be examined thoroughly, so that nothing 



