HOW TO USE THE BOOK 



Before attempting to identify the ferns by means 

 of the following Guide it would be well to turn to 

 the Explanation of Terms, and with as many species 

 as you can conveniently collect, on the table before 

 you, to master the few necessary technical terms, 

 that you may be able to distinguish a frond that is 

 pinnatiiid from one that is pinnate, a pinna from a 

 pinnule, a fertile from a sterile frond. 



You should bear in mind that in some species the 

 fertile fronds are so unleaf-like in appearance that 

 to the uninitiated they do not suggest fronds at all. 

 The fertile fronds of the Onocleas, for example, are 

 so contracted as to conceal any resemblance to the 

 sterile ones. They appear to be mere clusters of 

 fruit. The fertile fronds of the Cinnamon Fern are 

 equally unleaf-like, as are the fertile portions of the 

 other Osmundas and of several other species. 



In your rambles through the fields and woods your 

 eyes will soon learn to detect hitherto unnoticed 

 species. In gathering specimens you will take heed 

 to break off the fern as near the ground as possible, 

 and you will not be satisfied till you have secu'-'^d 



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