ON THE JAMAICA FERNS OF SLOANE’S HERBARIUM. 15 
from them, transferred to Oxford, and Bobart employed them in 
i ed. 
designs, in December, immediately after their arrival. Sloane had 
long cherished the desire to visit the West Indies, with the view of 
studying their natural history, the character of which, like almost 
every pertaining to the New World, was much exaggerated, 
even as late as his time. On the death of his patron he determined 
year, Sloane reckoned the objects of Natural History he had 
acquired as upwards of 30,000, besides 200 vols. of plants; and 
ibrary numbered 50,000 vols., all of which, under a certain 
stipulation for the benefit of his heirs, he bequeathed to the nation. 
Sloane’s eee in Jamaica having been the foundation of these 
mense collections, Jamaica has a close and interesting connection 
with ee csiablishmout of the British Museum. 
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his ferns shows how profitable it is to back to the types of the 
older authors, in which the British Museum is most enviably rich. 
Though undred years old, most of Sloane’s specimens are in 
“The Tribe of Ferns in Jamaica are very numerous, and strange in their 
Manner of growth. Many of them are Scandent, more than one white on the 
Back ; some Shave ines like other Herbs or Trees, and some perfect Stalks. 
