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ing of the names is the end and aim of the study. Who< 

 cannot recall instances of people who call themselves 

 botanists, ornithologists or entomologists upon the 

 strength of knowing the mere names of a greater or less 

 number of plants, birds or insects ! The true study is far 

 different. Thoreau has aptly expressed it regarding 

 ferns when he says : " If it were required to know the 

 position of the fruit dots or the character of the indusium, 

 nothing could be easier than to ascertain it; but if it is 

 required that you be affected by ferns, that they signify 

 anything to you, that they be another sacred scripture to 

 you, helping to redeem your life, this end is not so easily 

 accomplished.'' There are yet great possibilities open to 

 the student of ferns : 



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It is a question whether there ever would have been a 

 Fern Bulletin if there had not been a Fern chapter. 

 Certainly the one grew out of the other. Both have had 

 unique careers. There probably is no other botanical 

 society of the Fern chapter's size in the world that has 

 maintained an uninterrupted existence for more than 

 twelve years without holding regular meetings. Its 

 membership includes every prominent student of ferns in 

 America, and its officers have always been men of ability 

 selected for their activity in the study of ferns. Younger 

 students value membership for the opportunities it offers 

 to exchange specimens, and for the help they are able to 

 obtain on difficult points, while to older members it is 

 quite as valuable, since an intelligent audience is thus 

 provided for the reception of their own discoveries. In 

 times gone by many rare and interesting ferns have been 

 distributed to members, while the acquaintances formed 

 through correspondence have in many cases ripened into 

 firm and lasting friendships. It is probable that the 

 Fern chapter and the Fern Bulletin will grow old 

 together, but we trust it will be a long time before either 

 shows signs of decrepitude. 



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We have upon our lists the names of people whose 

 subscriptions are paid to the end of 1908, while those who 

 have paid to the end of 1906 are plentiful. We take this 



