INTRODUCTION. 



nomenclature may, to some readers, appear at first sight somewhat paradoxical 

 as it is proposed that the present work should be conducted on a popular 

 basis, whereas the excellent book referred to is a purely botanical work. 

 The great aim of the Author, however, is the simplification of the gardening 

 nomenclature, which at present is still very complicated ; and although names 

 which have long been in use in botanical books of standard position, but 

 which have never been generally adopted, may for a time appear strange 

 to the practical Fern-grower and amateur, it is confidently hoped that their 

 adoption in this popular work will prove of some service in spreading, 

 in a simple and comprehensive form, a general knowledge of the proper 

 classification, and therefore of the true names, of the Ferns described. It 

 will be noticed that, whenever any popularly-known genus has been transferred 

 into another, a special reference to it will be made. The use of obsolete 

 names will be completely abandoned ; and, so far as practicable, the 

 synonyms by which some species have long been popularly known, will at 

 the same time and place be given, in conjunction with the new names, which 

 will retain priority over them. 



The work will deal with the great Fern Family in its entirety, retaining 

 all that is essential in the original botanical descriptions, but purposely 

 avoiding technical terms whenever expressions sufficiently significant, but of a 

 more popular nature, and therefore more readily understood by the great 

 mass of readers for whom this publication is intended, can be used. On 

 account of the popular principle of the work, descriptions of purely botanical 

 species will be carefully omitted, while every effort will be made to bring 

 together all the species and varieties which possess particular interest, either 

 as decorative plants, or as subjects partaking of characters sufficiently striking 

 to render them of some importance in a well-ordered collection. 



All the information supplied will be of as full and explicit a character 

 as possible. The Author, presupposing an entire ignorance of the subject on 

 the part of his readers, will enter into details as thoroughly as the require- 

 ments of such an extensive family deserve, not only as regards the descrip- 

 tions of the plants, but also, and especially, when referring to matters bearing 

 on their cultivation. The alphabetical order is the one to which, in this 

 instance, preference has been given, as it is considered that when references 

 are needed the task is greatly simplified by its use. 



