PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION. 
I am made aware of the fact that this unpretending Fern 
Book has achieved a success never yet attained in so short a 
time by any previous work on the same subject, since Fern 
Culture has become a popular pursuit. 
The First Edition was exhausted w'ithin a week or two 
of its publication : half of the Second Edition was ordered 
before the day of issue ; the remainder, with a Third 
Edition — which was speedily called for — have secured a rapid 
sale which has found no abatement even during the months 
of winter; and a Fourth Edition is now demanded. 
So practical and so cordial a recognition of my endeavours 
to popularize the study and cultivation of Ferns is as pleasing 
as it is surprising to me. For this result, however, I am 
gratefully sensible of my obligations both to the Fern-loving 
Public and to the Press. Amongst the former it is pleasant 
to know that I can number not a few who have recognized 
an old friend in the Author of ‘ The Fern Paradise,’ and 
who have permitted me to take their hand once more and 
journey with them into the Fern World. 
To my Beviewers my obligations are indeed great for the 
eloquent and enthusiastic praise which they have bestowed 
upon my book — the work of one who has simply endea- 
voured to make his readers share his own enthusiastic love 
of Nature. 
I must take this opportunity of acknowledging the kind- 
ness of those Fern-lovers who, not only from my native 
