PREFACE. 
Ferns are perhaps the most beautiful order in the whole range of 
the Vegetable Kingdom ; they have at all times been favorites with 
the loA^ers of the beautiful. Other orders of plants have been ex- 
tolled for a time, after which they have been placed on one side and 
forgotten. But with the fern, one is never weary ; there is a pecu- 
liar fascination about these lovely forms of vegetation. They are 
always welcome, and draw forth our admiration, whether we see 
them covering the damp or dry rock, clothing the stems of our 
gigantic scrub trees, or pendant from their huge forks. They are 
eagerly sought after by yoang and old — by some for the gratification 
of the present moment, by others for cultivation about their homes , 
or for the purpose of decoration. Indeed, so attractive are these 
beauties of Flora's Kingdom, that it is almost impossible to find a 
house where they are not to be met with either living or dead. 
Thus it may be easily inferred that a knowledge of their nomencla- 
ture, classification, and local habitat, would be acceptable ; and 
it is with such an idea that this little work is offered to the public , 
Since the publication of the author's former work on the Queens- 
land Ferns, the 7th Volume of Bentham and Mueller's elaborate 
work ''The Flora Australiensis " has been issued containing 
the ferns. It has been deemed, therefore, advisable to follow the 
classification there adopted in the present work, thus keeping so far 
as possible from a confusion of nomenclature. 
Another advantage, it is hoped, will be found in the work contain- 
ing all the ferns at present known to inhabit Australia and Tasmania, 
thus rendering it equally useful in each of the colonies. The ex- 
pediency of this course will be obvious when it is pointed out that 
two-fourths - of the kinds met with in Australia are found in 
Queensland, conjointly with one or other of the other colonies. 
One-fourth in Queensland, but not in tbv' adjoining colonies, leaving 
only one-fourth of the whole a,s belofi- ing to the other colonies 
