PREFACE. 



During the past decade a department of botanical study that 

 previously had attracted the attention of specialists only, has 

 rapidly come into prominence among all classes of people. The 

 interest in Ferns has become so great that in spite of peculiar 

 difficulties in the way of study, many have acquired marked pro- 

 ficiency in the subject, and large private collections have been 

 accumulated. 



When the writer commenced the study of this interesting 

 botanical order six years ago, as a means of recreation, during 

 the later years of a collegiate course of study, the subject was 

 found to be beset with embarrassments which others have 

 probably met in their own experience. Among the many the 

 following may be noted : 



1. The subject of cryptogamic botany is assigned " a very 

 subordinate position inour best school and college text-books and 

 is often entirely omitted. The more recent text-writers are 

 recognizing this deficiency and beginning to supply the need here 

 indicated. 



2. The great majority of teachers do not supplement the text- 

 books by instruction in this important branch of botanical science. 

 Not having been instructed themselves, and finding discouraging 

 elements in the way of self-study, they are necessarily unqualified 

 to instruct others. 



• 3. The descriptions of many of our native ferns are scattered 

 through various scientific journals and rare books, usually inac- 

 cessible to those who need them most. 



