Vlll 
PREFACE. 
admit either that the amount of evil is very greatly less in reestablish- 
ing an obsolete nomenclature than in coining a new one. As to the 
mere intention assigned by some of restoring their due honour to 
ancient botanists, it is a principle good in theory, but which cannot 
be carried out ; and would be of much injury to botany if it could : 
as we should be soon overwhelmed with terms now forgotten, and 
which are generally less appropriate and significant than the more 
modern appellations. 
GEORGE FRANCIS, F.L.S. 
July \st, 1847. 
The demand for a Fifth Edition of this little work affords 
abundant evidence that it is well adapted to the purpose for which 
it was intended. I have consequently left untouched the names of 
the genera, in accordance with the author’s views, and merely added 
those new synonymes which have made their appearance in other 
works since the Fourth Edition was published. 
The principal alterations in this edition consist of the addition of 
several recently discovered species and varieties, and a more complete 
and accurate account of the reproduction of the Ferns and their Allies, 
in the Introduction, recent investigations having totally changed the 
formerly received notions on this subject. The technical terms have 
also been simplified and made more accurate, and a new plate 
has been added. 
London; Jan. 1855. 
ARTHUR HENFREY. 
