10 
CHOICE BRITISH FERNS. 
to tell one from another with tolerable certainty. This done, 
his attention will be directed to the many kinds of variation 
to which the common or normal species are subject ; and, 
this stage attained, we may safely consider him a convert, 
and leave the charms of the Ferns themselves, and the 
possible triumph of good “finds,” to put the finishing touch 
and make him an enthusiast. 
Since the true Fern-lover who has any leisure at his com- 
mand, is sure, sooner or later, to become also a Fern-hunter, 
we will proceed to give a few hints and suggestions, based 
on our own personal experiences, with the object of aiding 
him in his quest. When we write “him” or “his,” we must beg 
our lady readers to transmute the pronouns to suit themselves, 
since we are indebted for many of the most remarkable finds 
to the sharp eyes of the ladies, and trust, therefore, to make 
fully as many disciples amongst the fair as amongst the 
(so-called) sterner sex. 
The majority of the most striking varieties, either curious 
or beautiful, having been found growing wild, and the 
number of these being by no means small, it is manifest that 
an additional zest is given to the quest for Ferns, which is 
usually confined to a search for species only, if this fact be 
remembered, and additional care be bestowed upon the 
examination of the plants. The discovery, after long search, 
of a rare species in a new locality is very gratifying, but 
does not add anything more than a new name to the cata- 
logue of the local flora; but the discovery of a new and unique 
form, possibly of great beauty, possibly only curious, adds 
something new to the flora of the world. This possibility 
is in the power of every Fern-lover who cares, in the first 
place, to familiarise himself with the aspect of the normal 
forms, so that he can recognise them at a glance, and then 
to educate his eye by constant careful examination of the 
plants which come in his way, so that should there be any 
abnormality in the fronds over which his eye travels, he 
may at once detect it. 
It often — ^nay, generally — happens that a new discovery is 
only betrayed by the merest tip of a frond peeping through 
