2 
INTRODUCTION. 
The scientific division of the Ferns into Tribes and Orders was long a 
desideratum in Botany. The earlier schemes are too vague for present use. 
That of Willdenow is still much used ; in this he depended upon external cha- 
racters alone, and divided the whole F erns as follows. 
1. Gonopterides, which includes only the Genus Equisetum. 
2. Stachyopterides, including Lycopodium, Botrychium, and Ophioglossum. 
3. Schismatopterides, containing only Osmunda. 
4. Filices, which comprises all the Dorsal and Marginal Ferns. 
5. Hydropterides (Water Ferns), containing Isoetes and Pilularia. 
Valuable as the system of Willdenow was compared to all previously adopted, 
it is very far inferior to that of Sir J. E. Smith, improved as it has been by 
Mr. R. Brown, Mr. Kaulfuss, and others. Here, not only the external 
character of the fructification, but the structure of the fruit itself, and of 
its envelops, is considered of importance as a guide to essential characters ; 
while the shape, division, and habit of the plant are used only in the 
discrimination of species : and thus classifying the Ferns as much as possible 
by the same laws as those which govern higher orders of vegetation. 
FILICALES. 
A NNULA TAi, which have their capsules or theca; ringed. 
Thecse in clusters at the back of the frond, burst- 
ing irregularly and transversely. Ring vertical or a 
continuation of the footstalk of the theca. Stems 
solid, their vernation circinate 
Theca: in two valvcd receptacles on the margin of a J 
frond,bursting irregularly and vertically. Ring oblique. > Hymenofiiyllace.se. 
Vernation circinate. Stems solid ) 
EXANNULATAE, which are without a ring to their capsules. 
Theca: in clusters, terminating a leafy frond, burst- i 
ing at a longitudinal suture, two valved, transparent, > OsmundaceyE. 
petioled, striated. Vernation circinate. Stems solid.) 
Thecse in spikes or racemes attached to a leafy frond, 1 
bursting at a transverse suture, two valved, opaque, > Or hioglossace.e. 
sessile, smooth. Vernation straight. Stems hollow . . y 
LYCOPODALES. 
Thecse of two kinds, indehiscent, inclosed within J 
the base of radical leaves. Leaves hollow and filiform. > Isoetace.e. 
Stem none. V emation straight. ( Water Plants ) . . . y 
Thecoe of one kind, coriaceous, scaly, seated near! 
the base of radical leaves. Leaves hollow and filiform. > Marsileace.e. 
Stem long and creeping. Vernation circinate y 
Thecae of two kinds, axillary in a leafy spike or i 
stem, two to four valved, sessile, free, dehiscent at ap Lycopodiace.i:. 
regular fissure. Stem solid, leafy, creeping or upright) 
EQUISETALES. 
Theca: in terminal conical catkins, bursting in- i 
wardly at a longitudinal fissure. Spores attached top Equisetace.e. 
four filaments. Stems leafless, striated, hollow, jointed. ) 
PoLYrODIACE.E. 
