XXII 
PREFACE. 
to discriminate the species, and have indicated for our 
guidance their localities and range ; not that we should 
destroy, but enjoy, use, and 'preserve them for the time to 
come. He is practically a transgressor of the great law of 
love, who cares not, so much as a Fern , for posterity. 
Besides this, it is good to deny oneself the childish pride of 
a handful , when one or two plants will suffice to acquaint 
us with a species ; and if the vasculum must be filled, upon 
the plea that duplicates will be desired by friends, let the 
collector adopt Dr. Greville’s excellent rule, to admit no 
duplicate which is not complete enough for his own her- 
barium ; and then many a specimen will be suffered to live, 
and abide for years to come, which, otherwise, rudely torn 
away from its home, might swell the spoils of a day’s 
excursion, but be as rudely cast off when the day’s pleasure 
was past ; or be planted in soil and situations where it 
must inevitably pine away and die. 
Gerard Smith. 
Ockbi'ooJc, Midsummer , 1877. 
