PREFACE. 
The general purpose of the series of Hand-lists of the 
plants cultivated in the Royal Gardens which is in 
course of publication, and of which the present one is a 
part, is sufficiently indicated in the preface to that 
which enumerates the Trees and Shrubs. 
The collection of Ferns, whether tropical or temperate, 
is perhaps, next to that of Palms, the most important 
feature of the cultivation under glass in the Royal 
Gardens. 
A special interest attaches to it, because it has been 
used so much in the preparation of most of the books 
and papers dealing with ferns which have been pub- 
lished in this country during the last half century. The 
celebrated botanical artist, Francis Bauer, was resident 
draughtsman for 50 years (1790-1840) to the Royal 
Botanic Garden at Kew, and the beautiful series of 
analytical drawings of ferns which he made were pub- 
lished by Sir William Hooker, after his death in 1842, 
with descriptive letter-press and additions, under the 
title of Genera Filicum, During the 25 years (1840- 
1865) for which Sir William Hooker was the director of 
the gardens his attention was specially concentrated on 
ferns. Under the title of Species Filicum he published 
an elaborate work in five volumes, in which all the 
known species of typical ferns are fully described, and 
their synonymy and geographical distribution worked 
out, with copious illustrations by Mr. Walter Fitch. 
u 85419. 1000.— 4/95. A¥t. 21343. a 2 
