viii PREFACE. 



part of the work in technical language, avoiding, however, all 

 unnecessary multiplication of terms ; and at the same time — by a 

 clear introductory chapter on the structure of ferns and their allies, 

 and by the aid of a complete glossary — to enable the reader to 

 understand every term used. There is no serious difficulty in 

 mastering these terms, as a little patient application wiU prove, and 

 there is no satisfactory way of avoiding their use without sacrificing 

 the scientific value of the descriptions. If any are afraid to enter 

 upon the study of our ferns because there are some apparently hard 

 names to be got over, we would advise such persons to turn their 

 attention to something else. If the subject is worth studying, no 

 one need grudge taking a little trouble about it. 



In the preparation of this work, every available source of infor- 

 mation on the subject has been consulted. While differing on some 

 points from those whose labours he has availed himself of, the 

 author has to acknowledge the very valuable assistance which he 

 has received from various sources, and chiefly from the writings of 

 Messrs. Oolenso, Kirk, Cheeseman, and Potts — botanists who have 

 done much to bring about the present well-advanced state of 

 scientific knowledge in this young country. 



DUNEDIN, 



January, 1882. 



