4 



An index was indispensable, and this I have tried to make as 

 useful as possible by incorporating, besides tlie genera used on the 

 plates, most nf the trivial or local names, besides synonyms under 

 which descriptions may be met with in fern literature. 



I may here express my thanks to the Government for acceding to 

 my request that the lithographing might be done at the Government 

 Department, thus insuring for the public a work at low cost and good 

 workmanship. I hope that the demand for this publication will be 

 such as may encourage the issue of other works of a similar cbai-acter. 



To the Government lithographer (Mr. Costin) my thanks are due 

 for the very great care he has taken in placing each specimen upon 

 the stone. 



JLiT, 1892. 



P. M. BAILEY, 



Colonial Botanist. 



